NBC Entertainment to Undertake “Broader Culture Assessment” Together with Ongoing Investigation into Former President Paul Telegdy – Deadline

NBCUniversal is spreading the probe into workplace culture at NBC Entertainment beyond the ongoing investigation sparked by allegations of professional misconduct against former chairman Paul Telegdy. In an internal memo, Mark Lazarus, chairman, NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, confirmed the investigation, which culminated in a news release last week, without naming Telegdy. According to sources, the investigation investigates specific allegations made about both Telegdy and Meredith Ahr, chairman, Alternative and Reality Group.

Telegdy is no longer with the company – Lazarus unveiled the new structure of his group yesterday, with the departure of the NBC topper as part of the announcement.

“We will do both an investigation into the specific allegations, which will be led by a knowledgeable outside investigator, and a broader culture evaluation,” Lazarus said in the memo. “The culture assessment will be facilitated by NBCU’s Fair Employment team and will give me the opportunity to learn more about your experiences … Once completed, you are committed to developing and communicating an action plan on based on your feedback. “

In the post, Lazarus also discusses the current restructuring, which will have all English-language linear networks, including NBC, in one group, overseen by Frances Berwick on the business side and an executive later named on the programming side to become. The consolidation is expected to trigger significant redundancies.

Lazarus said he was working with the new leadership “to bring more clarity about the new organization and we will have more to share in the coming weeks.”

Here is his email:

I know you all got the news yesterday about how we are restructuring our business to better align resources across our television divisions. I look forward to the future of our company, but I know it also raises a number of questions. Please know that I am working closely with the new leadership team to bring more clarity about the new organization and that we will have more to share in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, I want to update you on how we will address the allegations of misconduct that were reported in the press.

I have not had the opportunity to get to know many of you yet, but I want you to know I deeply believe that we all deserve to work in an environment where we feel respected and valued.

To this end, we will conduct both an investigation into the specific allegations, led by a knowledgeable outside investigator, and a broader culture evaluation. The assessment of culture will be facilitated by NBCU’s Fair Employment team and will give me the opportunity to learn more about your experiences. I want to hear from you, and I encourage you all to take part. Once complete, you have my commitment to develop and communicate an action plan based on your feedback.

The investigation and assessment will take place at the same time and will begin in the coming days. As always, if you are concerned that you may want to be heard now or in the future, please contact Comcast NBCUniversalListens by calling 1-877-40-LISTENS or at http: //www.ComcastNBCUniversalListens. com. You will have the option to report anonymously.

I believe that the building blocks of great culture begin with inclusion, transparency and trust; and I know we can get there together.

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