SOMEBODY STOP THE RADIO STAR: JIAN

GHOMESHI AT THE CBC

Made by-
Group 6, PGDM E
22P255 Abhilash Dhulia
22P265 Haritha Prasad
22P275 Meenal
22P285 Vishnu Sarma
22P295 Samridhi Gusain
22P305 Tania Pal
PROBLEM BACKGROUND

• 6 employees of CBC have a series of clandestine meetings away from their workplace to discuss the toxic
situation they encountered while working for Q, an arts and culture radio show
• The outcome is the ‘Red Sky’ report extensively outlining Jian Ghomeshi’s continuous mental and sexual
harassment of CBC’s employees over a period of time
• Gian Ghomeshi is the host of the popular show ‘Q’, which was specially launched to gauge the interest of a
younger audience and position itself as ‘hip’
• The document was shown to Arif Noorani, the executive producer, and Linda Groen, the director of network
talk radio
• There were two complaints, one that there were decisions made in favor of Ghomeshi, without consultation
from the team of ‘Q’
• Second, the staff of ‘Q’ were often at the mercy of Ghomeshi and had to comply with his whims and fancies
if they wanted to stay hired

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JIAN GHOMESHI & Q

• Jian Ghomeshi started as a drummer for the mildly popular 90s rock band Moxy
Früvous
• Started in broadcasting in 2002 with ‘Play’ and got his big break in 2007 after
becoming the host of ‘Q’
• ‘Q’ was popular with CBC’s younger audience and featured interviews with
entertainment personalities and celebrities
• It was popular in Canada and was broadcasted on over 160 stations in the US
• Its popularity made Ghomeshi the face of CBC, and increased his popularity
outside radio, on TV, and on the internet
• Ghomeshi personified equality, multiculturalism, and respect for the CBC
platform. He came across as an enlightened modern man who embraced his
sensitivity.

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THE CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION (CBC) AS AN ORGANIZATION

• The CBC was Canada’s national public broadcaster, responsible for delivering radio and
television services
• Its broadcast included news and entertainment programming across the country in both
official languages
• The CBC projected itself as a holistic organisation and talked about democratic and
social development of its listeners
• CBC had multiple initiatives to promote a safe working place for its employees on paper
• These included a yearly 90-minute session on instilling respect in the workplace and
dedicated hotlines to help stressed out employees
• Moreso it had a clean track record with no prior complaint filed in the last 10 years for
sexual harassment
• All in all, CBC by all standards was considered a model employer

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 THE PAST AND CURRENT PROBLEMS
• Jian Ghomeshi becomes the host of Q in 2007
• Karthryn Borel, a producer on Q becomes a victim to Ghomeshi (amongst
others) and is subjected to physical, emotional, and psychological abuse by him
2007-2010 • Karthryn talks to her union rep and Asif Noorani about Ghomeshi
• Both talks result in no outcome and she doesn’t file a formal complaint, worried
about her job security and being scared of the power Ghomeshi wields
• She takes a leave of absence and later resigns from CBC

• Ghomeshi continues the behaviour he has had since 2007

• His main targets are young and the female staff of Q
• His actions included sexual harassment, erratically behaving 2010-2012
while shooting and delaying schedules by stone-walling his
staff
• He also shared unsolicited personal details about his sexual • 6 CBC employees in Toronto start meeting to form the
preferences and activities
‘Red Sky’ report outlining their complaints with
Ghomeshi
• They outlined how his harassment had made the CBC
an unstainable workplace for them and others
2012 • They present their grievances to Asif Noorani and Linda
Groen calling on to them to ‘stir the beast’ and rein
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Ghomeshi in
ALTERNATIVES

• Noorani and Groen have two ways ahead, either to let things be or to take action against Ghomeshi

Let things be as they are Take Action Against Ghomeshi

Risks entailed: Risks Entailed:

• This could help CBC continue enjoying the profits from the • This approach will show that CBC is able to exercise the
show values and organizational principles that it likes to
• However, it could lead to the CBC employees being advertise
disgruntled and pursuing the matter in court (low employee • It will also reduce their liability if their handling of
satisfaction) Kathryn’s complaint comes to light
• If pursued in court, the company could face millions in • This will set a precedent that will help them flush out
damage and restitution other such troublemakers by laying down a strict code of
• While there are 6 plaintiffs now if the matter goes to court conduct
more could go to court and increase the possible amount of • It will also reduce future liabilities for them
6 damages
PLAN OF ACTION

• Comparing the alternatives, we suggest replacing Ghomeshi with a new host on

Radio. Despite the fall in revenue of the show and the ruination of the brand
image of the company as a whole, this alternative suggests the most optimal path
as it will lay down a strong precedent for other organizations as well and establish
CBC’s rapport as a leading organization which prioritizes the well-being of its
employees.
• Implementation of a new policy and reinstating organizational structure will be
effective in reducing liability in the future while ensuring a high rate of employee
satisfaction and security.
• The audience’s inevitable audience loss can be mitigated by taking a solid stand
on a no-tolerance policy by the organization against harassment.

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PREVENTIVE STEPS BY CBC TO ENSURE A HEALTHY WORKING SPACE FOR ITS EMPLOYEES

The organizational management Steps should be taken to Implement more effective in- A standardized process to
structure at Radio Q is unsuitable address the abusive person sensitivity training easily report even minute
as it leads to low employee supervision and prevent workshops and prioritize claims must be established
satisfaction and poor human the concentration of putting checks and balances without fear of leadership
resource management as problems power at higher levels of in place to more effectively backlash.
remain unaddressed. management through tackle employee problems
A strong network of
policies and regular and protect their well-being
CBC needs to implement a better reporting must be developed
checks. at the workplace.
organizational communication to establish a strict line of
structure and resolve its action policy to mitigate such
management issues. occurrences.

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SWOT

STRENGTHS WEAKNESS OPORTUNITIES THREATS

• The pre-existing legacy of • Lack of perceived leadership • Undertake disciplinary • High central
CBC • CBC’s reliance on Ghomeshi action against Ghomeshi to concentration of power
• The image of CBC as a clear CBC’s name from • Lack of a solid code of
leading to a conflict of
leading fair and just further association with conduct aligning with
interest between ratings and defunct corporate practices
employer company values
a healthy work environment and values
• Popularity of Radio show Q • Lack of concrete
as a connect with younger • Conflict of interest presented • Reinstate an effective
by the union and the top- communication network free company policies to
mass
down pressures by the of barriers of power-induced protect employees from
executives fear of retaliation and threat power exploitation
to job security • Legal consequences of
• Higher employee satisfaction harassment and non-
rates by building a healthier addressal of grievances
work environment to
establish itself as a leading
organization
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ANALYSIS OF LEADERSHIP CHARACTER

Issues Learnings

Demand for complete compliance with no Significance of leadership foresight-

opportunity for discussion
• Noorani had a chance to nip this issue in the bud, by
There was no scope for disagreement with addressing the problem when Ghomeshi’s misdemeanour
Ghomeshi in the organization, and people were was first reported by Kathryn Borel. Out of fear of losing
treated with passive aggression and were punished Ghomeshi and his association with CBC, Noorani
indirectly, which caused psychological avoided the problem which eventually led to the Red
repercussions. Sky fiasco.
• Lack of pro-activeness on the part of leadership and
Abuse of power Ghomeshi’s attitude of perpetual impunity and
exploiting power structures led CBC to dissonate from
This instilled fear in co-workers ad Ghomeshi was its original values and principles.
considered a high-profile talent whereas other
people were viewed as easily replaceable.

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Thank you