Mediaweek’s Trent Thomas steps back amid sexual harassment allegations
The managing director and publisher of Mediaweek has stepped back from the media and marketing trade publication following reports of alleged sexual harassment against female staff members.
As reported by the Australian Financial Review, Mediaweek’s Trent Thomas cut ties with its external HR firm after it began investigating complaints made against him of alleged inappropriate conduct.
He then hired a second firm, which found it was “more likely than not” that Thomas bullied and sexually harassed a member of his team.
Insiders described the workplace as hostile, with Thomas engaging in inappropriate conversations about his relationships, sexually explicit content, and revealing deeply personal information about staff members to others, according to the AFR.
In a statement published to Mediaweek’s website on Monday afternoon, it was announced that Thomas would be stepping back from the publication.
“In light of recent coverage, and the awareness of the impact this coverage will have on Mediaweek’s employees, audience, clients and partners, Trent Thomas, managing director and publisher has elected to step back from his role to ensure that the business can continue its commitment to delivering a brand based on a foundation of quality and respected content for our audiences, clients and partners,” the statement reads.
It continued: “Mediaweek acknowledges the rights of all workers to raise any type of workplace concerns and is committed to receiving all concerns with a person-centred and trauma informed approach providing a safe workplace for everyone that defines appropriate conduct and best practices.
“Over the last eight weeks Mediaweek demonstrated our commitment to safe work practices by engaging independent HR consultants to investigate, support and address concerns brought forth by two employees. The outcome of this investigation propelled our business to swiftly implement an industry leading prevention and response plan, HR training and robust HR guidelines and policies to take proactive and meaningful action to eliminate relevant unlawful conduct in the workplace.”
The publication’s senior leadership team – general manager Sarah Chapman, digital and marketing director Kellie Brown, chief revenue director Andrew Mulready, and editor-in-chief James Manning – will continue to lead in Thomas’ absence.
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Doesn’t Trent own Mediaweek? Is he selling it?
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“Stepping back”? More like staying in control while avoiding the sack which is complete BS! Also these so called leaders taking over operations were clearly aware of the allegations, given the two extensive investigations. If the AFR article hadn’t surfaced, they would have continued as if nothing happened, leaving the victims to suffer. Sadly, this makes them all complicit.
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First Ch9 and now Mediaweek. I wonder who will be next as I’m sure they’re not the only ones.
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I’m guessing ‘stepping back’ means wait until this story blows over and then resume business as normal.
And unless advertisers stop spending with them until actual change happens, that is exactly what will happen.
Given the Mediaweek advertisers are the media companies we all know have their own sexual harassment issues I can’t see them taking that stand so it will be business as usual soon enough. Sickens me this is the state of our industry
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Hopefully some swift justice will be dealt to those still lurking around the industry.
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100% agree with @hang on – what does stepping back mean?
Sad state of our industry if nothing changes & we are ok with that.
We are then all complicit.
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You wouldn’t want to have been around the music industry in the 80’s then. No woke, Me Too.
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