Many Wisconsin residents consider “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” to be one of the most iconic programs on daytime television. Earning a position on the show’s staff, especially in the control room, is seemingly one of the best things that can happen to someone looking to advance their TV career. However, dozens of former “Ellen Show” employees are now claiming that they were subjected to sexual harassment and misconduct by high-level executive producers.
Head writer and executive producer Kevin Leman has been at the heart of many of the claims that have been made. Multiple male employees have claimed that they were subject to verbal and physical advances by Leman at company Christmas parties and other events.
While many of the people who were allegedly targets of Leman’s harassment were lower-level workers who were young and believed that they lacked the power to speak up, the abuse allegedly also spread to senior-level employees. According to some of the claims, Leman regularly asked inappropriate questions or made lewd comments in front of others, attempting to mask them as humor.
Kevin Leman has categorically denied any wrongdoing during his 17-year tenure with the show. Leman reportedly said that he is “horrified that his attempts at humor may have caused offense.”
While Warner Brothers, the company behind “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” has continued to decline to make any public comments, up to three dozen employees have been asked about witnessing the incidents. All of those 36 former employees corroborated the claims, but they asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retribution.
Any employee who believes that they have been the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace is encouraged to contact an attorney who practices employment law. A lawyer may review their client’s claim and speak to other employees while building a case.