Nova Entertainment has verified that its independent whistleblower program, Speak Up!, is available to employees past and present.
The confirmation follows an exclusive report by Variety Australia last week that more than a dozen former employees of the radio network are planning a class action lawsuit, alleging claims of workplace misconduct spanning bullying, harassment and discrimination.
It is being prepared by Kristian Bolwell of WorkLawyers.
Bolwell told Variety Australia last Thursday that he has been approached by a number of ex-Nova Entertainment employees and is “assisting them to resolve their issues, potentially on a class basis.”
However, the Lachlan Murdoch controlled company is encouraging “anyone with concerns” to make contact with independent operator Your Call, which it appointed more than a year ago for employees to report discrimination, bullying, harassment and offensive behaviour.
Despite multiple former staffers telling Variety Australia that the whistleblower program – introduced in May last year – was not accessible to them post-employment, a Nova Entertainment spokesperson has since shared its Whistleblowing Policy and said the program has always been available to current and past employees.
Your Call positions itself as “a modern external whistleblowing hotline and online service” that gives “stakeholders an opportunity to speak up” about behaviours that fall below employment standards.
It is also open to suppliers, volunteers, consultants, and relatives and spouses of Nova Entertainment employees, among others. Reports can be made anonymously, either online or over the phone.
The privately-owned company operates the Nova and Smoothfm radio networks, along with Adelaide-based talk station FiveAA, Central Coast-based music station Star 104.5, and a podcast network. It also co-owns 97.3FM in Brisbane under a joint venture with ARN.
