CBC inquiry concludes management mishandled Jian Ghomeshi

CBC failed to provide its staff a workplace "free fromdisrespectful and abusive behaviour," says the report of an independentinvestigator hired to examine the corporation'shandling of the behaviourof former radio and television hostJianGhomeshi.

JaniceRubin, a Toronto employment lawyer with expertise in the field of workplace harassment, says in the report thatGhomeshi's behaviour violated CBC standards,and that hisbehaviour was"considered to create an intimidating, humiliating, hostile or offensive work environment."

• Read the full report from the independent investigatorhere

The report says that as information was shared "upwards,"it had a tendency tobecome "diluted."

"Less prevalent, but also present in a small number of cases, was behaviour that constituted sexual harassment," the reportsays,althoughit asserts that management was unaware of anycomplaints or allegations about sexual harassment.

It also says managementfailed to take steps in accordance with its own policies.

"It is our conclusion that CBC management condoned this behaviour."

Ghomeshi, the formerhost ofCBC Radio'sarts and culture showQ, was firedon Oct. 26, 2014,after executives saw what they described as graphic evidence that he had physically injured a woman.

Rubinledthe probe into the scandal that erupted as women came forward with sex and assault allegations againstGhomeshi.

All CBC employees, including current and former employees who worked onQor the television showPlaywhileGhomeshiwas host,were invited to contactRubinwith their complaints or experiences regarding harassment, violence, discrimination or other inappropriate conduct.

Participation in the Rubin investigation was voluntary. Her report says 99 people were interviewed. Seventeen people, including Ghomeshi, chose not to be interviewed.

Additionally, the report's author said there was no evidence that an allegationof sexual harassment made by an employee in 2010 was brought to the attention of management, but that it was brought to the employee's union, and the union "failed to respond properly."

CMG national president Carmel Smyth said she's not privy to the information referred to and didn't know how Rubin came to that conclusion. "We could have done better, it's true," said Smyth.

CBC apologizes, 'confident we can do better'

Duringa conference call with reporters Thursday,CBC president Hubert Lacroix and Heather Conway, executive vice-president ofEnglish Services, offered an apology to employees, and to Canadians in general.

CBC inquiry finds management mishandled Jian Ghomeshi allegations

9 years ago

Duration 6:43

Ioanna Roumeliotis interviews CBC executive VP of English Services, Heather Conway

Lacroix called the report "troubling," and said it pointed to lapses at the corporation.

"I'm confident we can and will do better," Conway said.

In an interview with CBC's Ioanna Roumeliotis, Conway said what concerns her the most is that "there was a persistent pattern of behaviour that wasn't dealt with, because that is a series of missed opportunities, and over a period of years."

Rubin's reportfinds there were three instances where management failed to investigate allegations and concerns about Ghomeshi's behaviour while he was working for the corporation.

In a statement issued after the report, the CMGsaid it has been reviewing its approach to representing members facing harassment at work, and has developed "a more fulsome protocol."

"We support all efforts that ensure our workplaces are harassmentfree, and make the process of getting help clear, fair and effective," said CMGnational presidentCarmel Smyth."No one should have to suffer harassment at work in 2015."

CMG president on Rubin report

9 years ago

Duration 6:19

Carmel Smyth talks about the findings of a report for CBC on Jian Ghomeshi

Since Ghomeshi's dismissal, several women have made sexual harassment complaints against four other individuals. As a result, one employee, who was not onair, was fired last month.

Conway said that she is aware of the complaints.

2 managers gone

Around the time the report was released Thursday,CBC announced that two senior managers radio executive Chris Boyce and human resources executive Todd Spencerhave left the corporation.

Boyce and Spencer had beenplaced on leave in early January. Boyce hadfeatured prominently in a investigation by CBC'sthefifth estate that looked into what CBC managers knew about the Ghomeshiscandal,and how they responded to it.

Conway declined to offer specifics around the departures.

Several womencontacted police, accusingGhomeshiof harassment and violence. He now faces eight charges, which include seven counts of sexual assault and one of overcoming resistance by choking.

He has repeatedly denied taking part in any violent, non-consensual sexual acts.

Ghomeshi'slawyer has said he intends to plead not guilty to the charges.

Ghomeshi is free on $100,000 bail with numerous conditions.

He is due to return to court on April 28.