Ellen DeGeneres has addressed toxic workplace allegations on her chat show

Ellen DeGeneres has publicly addressed toxic workplace allegations for the first time on her show’s opening monologue 

Ellen DeGeneres has addressed allegations of a toxic working environment during the opening monologue of her show.

Marking the beginning of its 18th season, DeGeneres said she is “taking responsibility for what happens at my show.”

This is the first time the presenter has publicly addressed the BuzzFeed News report that detailed a culture of fear among her employees with accusations of sexual misconduct, racism and intimidation from the show’s management.

In a seven-minute opener, DeGeneres spoke to her viewers virtually saying, “If you’re watching because you love me, thank you. If you’re watching because you don’t love me, welcome.”

She continued, “I learned that things happened here that never should have happened. I take that very seriously and I want to say I am so sorry to the people that were affected…I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realise that with that comes responsibility. I take responsibility for what happens at my show,”

She said many conversations had taken place in the company and that “we have made the necessary changes and today we are starting a new chapter.”

Along with the BuzzFeed article, rumours began to circulate on social media claiming that DeGeneres was challenging to work with and did not emulate her ‘be kind’ persona.

DeGeneres also addressed this saying, “I am that person that you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things…Being known as the ‘be kind’ lady is a tricky position to be in. So let me give you some advice out there if anybody’s thinking of changing their title or giving yourself a nickname, do not go with the ‘be kind’ lady. Don’t do it.”

DeGeneres had previously apologised to staff in July by email. In it, she wrote: “On day one of our show, I told everyone in our first meeting that The Ellen DeGeneres Show would be a place of happiness — no one would ever raise their voice, and everyone would be treated with respect.

“Obviously, something changed, and I am disappointed to learn that this has not been the case. And for that, I am sorry.”

Last year, DeGeneres renewed her hosting contract of the chat show until 2022.

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