Ontario's French TV channel places interim CEO on leave amid workplace harassment allegations

Ontario's French-language television channelhas placed its interim president on administrative leave amid allegations of workplace harassment and intimidation, Radio-Canada has learned.

The board of directors of Groupe Mdia TFOannounced on Wednesday that it has suspended ric Minoli. The announcement comes after the board was told by Radio-Canada that it was aboutto publish a story allegingthat Minolihad created a toxic work environment at TFO. The Franco-Ontarian broadcaster, a public educational media company,is provincially funded.

In an email sent to TFO employees on Wednesday,Jean Lpine, the chair of the board, declined to saywhy Minoli is now on leave.TFO's lawyers, however, had told Radio-Canada earlier on Wednesdaythat anindependent third party investigation has been launched into Minoli's timeat the broadcaster.

Minoli has been TFO's interim president since 2019. He waspreviously vice-president of operations.

In a statement released Wednesday evening, theTFO board acknowledged it received a letter on March 9about allegations against Minoli and began an investigation. Itsaid it has taken more action after new allegationscame to light.

"In the light of these, and in order to protect its employees, the integrity of the investigation process and the interests of the company, the board immediately imposed the administrative withdrawal of Mr. Minoli until the end of the investigation," the statement reads.

"In the meantime, Ms. Michelle Sguin will assume the duties of interim CEO."

Managers' letter denounces Minoli

Radio-Canada has obtained a copy of the March 9 letter sent to the board by a group of TFO managers denouncingMinoli'salleged actions.

The managers, whoRadio-Canada decided not to name, sayinthe letter that they had to deal with daily behaviour from the interim presidentthat they believe wasinappropriate and unacceptable. They expressed concern about possible retaliation. The letter doesn't describe specific incidents.

Radio-Canada, however, has spokento 26 employees and former employees, including many managers, and obtaineddozens of emails and internal documents. The interviews and documents create apicture of a toxicwork environment that reportedlyhas been in placeat TFO for several years.

There are allegations of sexual and psychological harassment as well asconflict of interest.

Sources told Radio-Canada that Minoliintimidated lower level managers into hiring or firing certain people, and on many occasions, refused to wear a mask inside the offices during the pandemic.

He is also accused of bullyingan employee into not filing a complaint against his partner, Bryan Pang, who also worksat TFO, after Pang allegedly verbally abused that person.

According to the three people who signedthe March 9 letter, the board wasinformed of the allegations previously.

Lawyers for TFO say they cannot comment because thethird party investigation is ongoing. Minoli, for his part, did not respond to Radio-Canada requests for an interview.

The office of Education Minister Stephen Leccesaidthe Ontario government takes all allegations of workplace harassment seriously and it expects TFO tocooperate with the investigation fully and ensure a safe and positive work environment for all its employees. Theoffice also saidit isactively working to fill the role of presidentfor TFO.

Multiple sources saidthey have been subjected to,or witnessed, intimidation, harassment or undue pressure byMinoli.

Radio-Canada obtained recent audio recordings in which TFO managers, including directors, recalledbeing the victims of physical and psychological harassment by Minoli. Some expressed reservations about signing the letter about him out of fear ofreprisals.

One manager, worried about his job prospects in the midst of the pandemic,said he had a family to support and was worried the letter might backfire.

Allegations of inappropriate gestures, unwanted contact

Some saidthey have been subjected to or witnessed inappropriate or sexual gestures and comments directed atmale employees, including about their physical appearance. Others spokeof unwantedphysical contact. Still otherscomplained ofderogatory comments, public humiliation or veiled threats.

A former employee alleged that Minoliasked to see a photo of theirpartner,said he was handsome and he asked which men hefound attractive. The employee said theyfelt uncomfortable sitting alone in a room with Minoli.

According to almost every source interviewed by Radio-Canada, Minoli showeda lack of empathy in his interactions.

Often, during the pandemic, Minoli moved around the TFO building without his mask, even after repeated complaints, sourcessaid.When confronted, Minoli reportedly replied that there was no point in wearing it as long as he kept his distance.

When the CEO does not respect public healthmeasures, it is not very reassuring, oneemployee said.

Eric Minoli is not the only TFO executive to be the subject of serious allegations. On Nov.23, an email appeared in the inbox of all TFO employees in which Minoli announcedthe departure of Manuelita Cherizard, senior director of human resources, after four years of service. He saidthe department was going to be restructuredfor operational reasons.

But according tosources, an independent investigator had found thatCherizard had psychologically harassed the majority of her employees in the HR department. Some said the experience was "nightmarish." Working conditionswere inhumane, one said.

Cherizardrequired employees to work 18-hour days, sometimes phoning themuntil midnight. She allegedly insulted and demeaned employees. The alleged problem extended beyond the human resources team. Employees and ex-employees of several departments saidthey have been belittled and denigrated by Cherizard over the years.

Last year, when an employee asked for help with an inhumane workload, Cherizard reportedly replied that he was lucky to have a job during the pandemic.

Cherizard, however, has secured a position as chief human resources officer at the Royal Ontario Museum. In an email to Radio-Canada, she denied the allegations and declined to comment.

Sources said alarger problem at TFO, beyond the behaviour of the interim CEO, is that the overall work environmentis toxic. The list of complaints includes high turnover, overload or unfair distribution of work, job insecurity, burned out employees andlow morale.

About 15people say they have left or are considering doing so because of the work climate.

Other serious complaints have been filed against past members of TFO's senior management.

Other former executives accused

Laurent Gurinleft his post as vice president in 2018 followingallegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behaviour. Former colleagues report unsolicited physical contact and sexual comments during meetings. Gurin declined to comment, sayingthese are only allegations.

As for Minoli's predecessor and mentor, Glenn O'Farrell, sourcesdescribe a president who hada hot and volatile character at times and who was allegedly forced to undergo coaching before his departure.

According to former subordinates, O'Farrell could raise his voice and make aggressive comments behind closed doors. It was not uncommon to see someone leave their office in tears.

Reached by email, Mr. O'Farrell declined to comment, saying the allegations against him are false.

Carole Nkoa,TFO's communications director, saidshe cannot comment on the allegations against Cherizard, Pang and Gurin, but pointedout that no complaint has ever been filed against O'Farrell.

The TFO Group cares about the health and well-being of its employees, Nkoasaid, adding that TFO has turnover rates that correspond to industry standards.