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Corus Entertainment headquarters is shown in Toronto on January 13, 2016. Photo by The Canadian Press / Toronto Sun.
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Derringer In The Morning has been suspended due to allegations of the toxicity of the Q107 workplace for some employees.
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The show will be off the air until an external ethical investigation, launched by Corus Entertainment, is completed.
The move comes in a video posted on Twitter by media personality Jennifer Valentyne in which she talks about the harassment and gender inequality she has encountered working on radio and television.
Social media users quickly identified a toxic work environment that he describes – Valentyne doesn’t name names – as John Derringer / Q107.
Derringer did not respond to requests for comment.
While Derringer has been highlighted for this action, many of the past complaints have now unequivocally stated that Corus Entertainment was well aware of the extent of the problem.
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Valentyne has filed a Canadian human rights complaint about the situation.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. When a woman is treated with disrespect in the workplace, it affects everyone, “Valentyne said.
“The overwhelming response from women with similar experiences in this company supports the need for change.”
Presenters include former co-workers Maureen Holloway, Jacqui Delaney, Supriya Dwivedi and Andrea Rooz; some of the women have described outbursts of Derringer rage over seemingly trivial incidents.
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For her part, Corus issued a statement saying in part: “We are aware that Ms. Valentyne has expressed concern about her time in the broadcasting industry, including her time with us.
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“Any concerns that include employee experience are of the utmost importance to us.
“A few years ago, Mrs Valentyne expressed some concerns and we took immediate action to review her at that time … We have been in talks with her, we have been sensitive to the procedures and we are awaiting the determination of the next steps.”
“We take these issues seriously and look forward to a resolution.”
Jacqui Delaney, who saw the writing on the wall very quickly during her brief co-host duties with Derringer and continued quickly, said she spoke after watching Jennifer Valentyne’s video for two simple reasons:
“First of all, I wanted to make sure Jenn was believed.
“Secondly, I knew what the company would do. I spoke because I know what Corus will do. I don’t want them to say that this is new – it’s not – or that we didn’t report it. We did. It was common knowledge at the station.
“I wanted them to know. They were very aware.”
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