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The Ellen Show wants to assure its workers that things have changed around the notoriously toxic office. After reports from inside the show about harassment and mistreatment by producers sparked an internal investigation last month, staffers have been offered new and increased perks, Variety reports.
Earlier this week, senior producers Mary Connelly and Andy Lassner addressed Ellen Show staff during a virtual town hall and informed them of some new policies on the show. From now on, employees will be granted five paid days off, as well birthdays off and paid time for doctors appointments or family matters. Ellen DeGeneres also appeared on the townhall, where she offered an emotional apology to her staff for the past few months of negative news and for the events that occurred on set “on her watch,” according to an insider.
Connelly and Lassner also relayed a message to staff urging them, “don’t be afraid,” during the chat. The producers asked staff to be forthcoming about workplace issues, working during the pandemic, or the infamous rumor that nobody is allowed to look DeGeneres in the eyes, an accusation she has denied.
One anonymous employee on the call told Variety that it was helpful to finally hear from DeGeneres about the issues that had been plaguing her show for the entire summer. “It was important to know what and how much she knew,” they said. “Because many of us really believe in her.”
Listening to DeGeneres directly address the staff about workplace issues increased morale, insiders said, and the increased perks helped, too. Staff is starting up rehearsals again for Ellen’s Game of Games, and the production team is back at work, waking up production offices and sound stages.
On Monday, The Ellen Show fired three top producers after a Buzzfeed report accused them of sexual misconduct on the show. Ed Glavin, Jonathan Norman and Kevin Leman were previously suspended after the report, but were all officially cut from the daytime show after years of working there.
Despite the rumors that The Ellen Show was canceled or that DeGeneres wouldn’t be returning, the long-running series is back on track to resume production. Lassner shut down any speculation that the show or its host were done for good. “Nobody is going off the air,” he tweeted earlier this month.
