What's New
BY Sarah Patterson April 24, 2024
What's New June 3, 2022
Workplace misconduct legal action being prepared against Nova executive
A Nova Entertainment executive, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is at the centre of bullying, discrimination and harassment claims being prepared by Kristian Bolwell of WorkLawyers.
The workplace misconduct allegations are being prepared on behalf of 16 former employees for a potential class action.
No legal documents have yet been filed with a court or the Fair Work Commission, but Bolwell, representing the former employees, is seeking to compile the experiences of misconduct in an intake form that may lead to the civil action against the executive and the Nova group of companies.
Last year Nova launched a whistleblower program where employees could report misconduct anonymously. Nova Entertainment did not confirm whether there has been any complaints or investigations as a result of this program.
A NOVA Entertainment spokesperson said,
“NOVA Entertainment is not aware of the filing of any class action or other legal proceedings related to alleged workplace misconduct. NOVA Entertainment has not been served with any court documents nor has it been contacted by any legal firms in relation to any proposed class action.
“NOVA Entertainment endeavours to ensure our workplace is free of bullying and harassment, whether based on an employee’s sex, race, religion, disability or any other characteristic.
“In May 2021 we implemented Speak Up!, a new whistleblower program for employees to report any forms of misconduct as well as a new partnership with Your Call, an independent confidential service that provides a channel for reporting conduct and behaviour that falls short of our expected standards.
“We encourage anyone with concerns to contact the service.”
[The subject of the allegations] must be doing an absolutely incredible job for them to have to deal with the level of reputational damage they have got!
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C’mon Nova. Do something. This will not go away until the issue is fixed.
You guys are getting hammered
@Kat
Agreed. Beyond belief how someone can be that protected that they’re put in front of the company and staff
From what I’m hearing this is about to go big
Headline should be ‘When victims get fired and perpetrators get a pay rise’
Worst kept secret in [the] media and marketing industries
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Poor Judgement from Nova Entertainment not clearing up this matter a long time ago,
Smiley. Face.
It’s time that it’s dealt with.
We no longer accept this. Bullying and harassment has got to stop!
There will be a few nervous executives across the industry. And they should be…
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Peter you’re right Poor Judgement from Nova Management and Owner.
Think of all the time and effort they put towards managing the publicity and internal staff communication and implementing face saving measures like the anonymous hotline. The amount of staff resources and money that have been invested into protecting the job of one individual.
Surely a class action suit whereby 15 individuals have come together to stand up to this individual is enough for Nova to realize that the time to stop protecting this person is now.
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All they had to do was fire the individual and justice would have been done. They’ve made their bed and now they need to lie in it. They’ve protected this bully for way too long
Pretty Juicy stuff will be watching this one closely.
Pity Justice didn’t occur last time this issue arose,
Prior Judgement should be cautioned.
The individual needs to do the right thing if the company is not prepared to.
It’s not fair on all us staff that have to put up with this. It’s no longer acceptable and we want this issue resolved.
Remember how long it took for Roger Ailes to be removed.
This is very good news for our industry, it is time for change.
Terrible form I’m never listening to advertising on nova or smooth again.
It is about time something is done to make sure that Nova is a “ safe place “ for women to work. Good initiative.
If there was a case to be answered… wouldn’t they have already filled… instead of rumoured threats?
It either did or didn’t happen and if you have 16 compelling people who’ve been victimised then it should be an easy case to win.. or maybe you don’t have anybody and this is just a burned ex employee.
Ex Nova staff, what about current staff? How are they feeling?
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@industry observer
Yeah that must be it. Just a burned ex employee… You obviously don’t know how a class action case works. Enjoy the upcoming attention
Anonymous hotlines are never anonymous
@help
We wouldn’t dare speak up about this behaviour… We’re embarrassed internally and we feel it’s now impacting our conversations externally.
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oh dear all the radio stories are coming out… imagine if they interviewed employees from a certain talkback radio station from the 00’s……………
This really is apaulling to think that nothing has been done yet.
When there’s a cancer, you have to cut it off. I know of some advertisers who will no longer spend on Nova on principle so this is effecting the bottom line.
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Time for Nova to make a change.
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I think it’s disgraceful [that] high profile announcers never ever speak up about things like this, they just turn a blind eye
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Cannot see this ending well for that person or Nova in general. It’s going to be quite painful for a lot of people I’m afraid, not just the alleged perpetrator(s)
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Appalling that Nova executives and owner(s) have not addressed this issue. As long as it’s not dealt with, nearly every person working at Nova are under suspicion.
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Sorry to let everyone know but this is not exclusive to one network. I hope some of those execs will start to look over their shoulders as it might be those who get the tap on the shoulder next.
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Sack the entire Nova staff and start again
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Don’t get too excited kids NOTHING will come of this, NO changes will be made and things will continue…
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Just sack [the person], pay out and move on.
Keeping [the person] will be more costly in a lot of ways.
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Does this mean we can turn the spotlight on the other networks as well?
Employers couldn’t care less sadly it’s all about how they can protect their brand name, damage control.. People don’t matter anymore. I was bullied at a company I worked for, I went to H.R twice!! their response was not enough evidence. I had times and dates written down. Bullies and scum of the work place are protected. H.R are there for the company not the employee.. After all its the company that pay the salary of H.R. Big earners for companies they work for can bully all they want because money and profits come first, people don’t matter.. That’s how companies think in this day and age..
The tidal wave SHOULD be coming for ALL networks….
Just be Patient everyone.
Justice will Prevail.