ITN Journalist Exits with Settlement After Mental Health Discrimination Finding
An ITN journalist left the company with a significant settlement following a review that found he experienced disability discrimination. The review also identified "low trust and psychological safety" in parts of the organization.
Key takeaways
- A journalist left ITN with a significant settlement after a review found he experienced disability discrimination.
- The review identified issues of low trust and psychological safety within parts of ITN.
- ITN acknowledged shortcomings in handling the journalist's mental health, including a privacy breach by an HR executive.
- The company stated it disputes the characterization of events but is committed to fair investigations and learning from mistakes.
ITN, the British production company behind news services for ITV, Channel 4, and Paramount-owned 5, as well as documentaries, is facing scrutiny over its workplace culture. An external review concluded that a journalist, identified pseudonymously as Leo, suffered disability discrimination related to his working environment.
Leo departed ITN in April after a 12-year tenure, receiving an undisclosed financial settlement. The review, conducted by law firm Simmons & Simmons and summarized for Deadline, found "low trust and psychological safety" within certain areas of the company. Some employees reported reluctance to voice concerns due to fears for their well-being.
What Happened
Leo, who has a history of mental health issues including PTSD from reporting on the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack and a 2023 hospitalization for depression, alleged that a deteriorating working relationship with a senior colleague led to his departure. This situation also involved Leo facing a gross misconduct investigation.
ITN acknowledged shortcomings in handling Leo's mental health, particularly after his 2023 breakdown, including a breach of privacy in July 2024 when an HR executive shared sensitive information about his condition without his consent. Although ITN provided trauma support and private therapy, the company stated it investigated concerns fairly and has learned from past mistakes, while refuting the characterization of events involving Leo.
A formal investigation, overseen by an external HR consultancy, People Puzzles, was triggered after Leo expressed concerns about his working relationship. Leo claimed this investigation was flawed, focusing on his mental illness, and that he faced disadvantages. While the senior colleague was cleared of wrongdoing, Leo's subsequent complaint about ITN's investigation was examined as part of an external review.
Key Facts
- ITN journalist Leo left the company in April with a significant, undisclosed financial settlement.
- An external review by Simmons & Simmons found that Leo suffered disability discrimination.
- The review also concluded there was "low trust and psychological safety" in parts of ITN.
- Leo has a history of mental health issues, including PTSD and depression.
- In July 2024, an HR executive breached Leo's privacy by sharing information about his condition without consent.
- ITN stated it investigates concerns fairly and has learned from past mistakes, but disputed the characterization of Leo's exit.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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