Ray Hadley trending on Twitter after 7.30 Report investigation into allegations of workplace bullying
Former employees of Macquarie Media went on-the-record and on-camera tonight to air fresh claims of workplace bullying and intimidation by 2GB shock jock Ray Hadley.
Among the ex-employees was Chris Bowen, who as reported by Radio Today, last month bravely shared disturbing allegations of bullying and intimidation on Facebook.
Bowen said on the ABC TV show tonight that his relationship with Hadley was one of “love-hate”.
Shortly after Bowen’s claims made national headlines, Hadley apologised on-air. “I’m sorry for any hurt I’ve caused him,” he said last Monday (March 25).
ABC Radio AFL caller Andrew Moore, who entered radio in 1984 at age 15, was reduced to tears when taping his interview.
Moore claims he began suffering from mental health issues after working with Hadley.
7.30 Report journalist Andy Park also spoke to Macquarie Media shareholder John Singleton who confirmed that Hadley was “ferocious” and “scares politicians”.
Within ten minutes of the broadcast #RadHadley was trending on Twitter, with Australian’s quick to join the conversation – including victims, journalists and media personalities.
I have decided to speak out tonight @abc730 about bullying . Particularly from Ray Hadley at both 2ue and 2GB…. and the various managements who did nothing about it … this is for my family and for the MANY who have suffered poor health as a result of this behaviour .
— Andrew Moore (@GibsMoore) April 3, 2019
The thing about the Ray Hadley abusive work environment story is that I wish there had been some way for us & 2GB mgmt to know that's the kind of person he was. I mean, there was never any sign of bullying, abuse, petulance or arrogance in his on air persona. I'm shocked. Shocked
— Bernard Zuel (@BernardZuel) April 3, 2019
Here's today's most unsurprising headline: Ray Hadley turns out to be a horrible human being behind closed doors (not only on air). #auspol https://t.co/7gcbYCdafe
— Mr Adams (@AdamWhitefield) April 3, 2019
Shocking to hear this from @GibsMoore – one of the most affable, helpful and talented blokes in the radio biz.
And thanks for speaking up, Andrew – can't have been easy.https://t.co/0nHnkeHVk4
— Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) April 3, 2019
I worked with a long list of bullies over my 25 years in radio. This is unsurprising. —> New claims of bullying against radio shock jock Ray Hadley https://t.co/DBXLNNfel9
— Carol Duncan (@carolduncan) April 3, 2019
That Ray Hadley was a vile bully of a man was an open secret. This article says Bowen came bravely forward after … 16 years of being part of the phalanx of men who allowed Ray to keep behaving like this.
— Kayleigh E. Long (@ayleighk) April 3, 2019
Macquarie Media maintains that no recent formal complaints from Moore or Bowen have been submitted to management.
You can read the full list of questions sent to Hadley and Macquarie Media CEO Adam Lang by Park, and their responses, here.
Have you experienced workplace bullying? Share your experience anonymously in the comments section below. Names and stations will be omitted prior to publishing.
If you or somebody you care for needs help, support services Lifeline (131 114) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are always available.
I’m a tough cookie, raised on crusty newspaper editors straight from school, both here and overseas.
Went on to work in tv and radio, first radio job producing Stan Zemanek Nights on 2UE. Let’s jusy say I became combat trained.
But it wasn’t until I was in my 50s, after a 30 plus career in the industry, that I was broken by the passive aggressive bullying from a 2UE announcer, famed for bullying strong women, while sleazing up to the fawning ones.
I could handle the shouting and tantrums from the ilk of bozos like Ray, Stan and others, at least I knew where I stood. Perhaps, I was just institutionalised.
But the underhand nastiness of this announcer and his wingman-in -training was another level of bullying. There was no shouting, just a campaign of exclusion. When I confronted him, I was told by there was no problem, making me feel more incompetent and useless.
Two weeks after I FINALLY complained to Macquarie Media HR, (having never been compelled to seek support before during my decades in the industry) I was ‘let go’, as was the new HR manager who escalated my complaint, despite my reservations. Management, who had always lauded my praises, became hostile in a heartbeat. It was clear I was out.
I’m fine now and only look back with horror at the weakness I displayed against a very dysfunctional human being whose only claim to fame was being heard on air in varying shifts for 20 years at 2UE. He never became a household name, on reflection, he was passed around like a used rag.
His time will come.
Andrew Moore AFL caller
This can be such a frustrating and unfair situation where the station’s HR departments and management are more concerned about protecting their stars and revenue than the treatment of staff.
I was in a terrible place, but was conveniently moved to another shift to avoid any drama after I made several complaints.
People have asked me why I didn’t just leave?
Easier said then done when you have a mortgage and a career.
Hopefully the bullies of this world are on their last legs and we are entering a new age of people respecting each other.
Are Macquarie just ignoring this and hoping it’ll go away? This was one of the worst kept secrets in the business.
Time to step up Adam Lang. One big high profile sacking to send a message to the investor community, staff and other talent. The commercial impact is already going to come off the back of this, better to take control of the narrative and put a stop to this crap.
Is this why Hadley is in Brisbane away from 2GB, and all the potential victims as well as him being away from the Sydney media
The Wendy Harmer tweet is interesting to say the least.
Other issue; Complain at the time, let it be investigated and accept the outcome. Your way or not. I don’t buy this ‘too scared’ rubbish and running to the media to bully the ‘alleged’ bully. If you accept that behaviour, more fool you.
I am fascinated with Wendy Kay’s comments. I can think of 3 people who have covered various shifts on 2UE for 20 years.
I think I know who it might be but I really think she should name the person otherwise it casts a dispersion over people who are innocent.
Sick victim blaming ‘Really?’
Not even game enough to use your real name to drop bullshit comments like that.
Want to know what happens if you stand up to the bullies? If you object to the threats and insults and speak back to them? They go and cry to management. All of a sudden, your job becomes “redundant”. And since so many stations are these days owned by the same company umbrellas, your scope of employment is severely limited.
I have had three similar situations in my career where I can say I was demeaned and maltreated. The final one last year was the end for me and I pumped myself with a full syringe of insulin to finish it once and for all.
However, due to the grace of a close friend, my attempt was thwarted. I’m still alive but it is my preference to give up. I’m tired of living with all this history.
The above article concentrates on Hadley, but it’s endemic across the board…Hadley, Jones, Laws, Goldman, et-al…you either take it on the chin or your scrapped.
It’s not a game for the nice folk. I and so many others have learned the lesson.
Reporting bullying is hard and I applaud those staff that stood up. Hadley is a mighty figure and it’s unfortunate in our society the dog with the biggest bark, gets attention. He’s no smarter or better than anyone else. His pronouncements on topics is arrogant and often, misinformed. Being a bully fits his MO. Time to go.