It appeared that it was not all sunny and bright on the set of The Ellen DeGeneres Show. One current and 10 former employees came out and shared their experience working on the daytime talk show and revealed that its "Be Kind" mantra doesn't apply to its own employees.
Amidst the series of accusations thrown on Ellen DeGeneres, some former employees of her show made new accusations but this time around it's against the show's executive producers. They alleged that their bosses enabled a toxic work environment.
One said people focus too much on accusations about Ellen that she is mean to her staff and guests. But the individual said that wasn't the real problem in the show. The issue is allegedly on the three executive producers who are in charge of all the staff and crew.
In an interview with Buzzfeed News, the employees claimed they were fired after taking medical leave or bereavement days, faced microaggressions, and were subjected to favoritism by the show's EPs. They alleged that these executives created a toxic working environment and bullying culture.
A Black woman who worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show told the publication that she experienced what she described as "microaggressions." Apparently, executive producer Ed Glavin reprimanded her when she asked for a raise and suggested that staff members should undergo diversity and inclusion training.
Another former employee revealed they were fired from work after taking a one-month medical leave following a suicide attempt. Another said employees got kicked out of work after going on a three-week medical leave for injuries suffered in a car accident or taking three days off to attend a family funeral. Buzzfeed News noted that the incidents revealed were corroborated by other staff of the show and medical records.
The employees claimed the show's EP made them feel that everybody who works at the Emmy-winning show is lucky to work there. If they have a problem, they were told to just leave because they can hire someone else because everybody wants to work in Ellen's show.
The employees, however, did not make specific claims about DeGeneres. However, they wished that the TV host should have been more hands-on when it comes to her involvement in the show that carries her name. They believed that the show's EPs would just tell Ellen that everybody is happy and she would believe them.
In response, executive producers Ed Glavin, Mary Connelly, and Andy Lassner told E! News that they are taking their former and current employees claim "very seriously." In a joint statement, the three said they were saddened that even one person of their production has had a negative experience on set.
