As TV broadcasters, we have all witnessed toxicity in the newsroom, yet many of us still put up with it. If this type of behavior occurred in other industries, it would likely not be tolerated. In TV news, however, we hear: "Deal with it. This is just how it is. Grow a thicker skin." Sure, a thicker skin in TV helps, but it doesn't erase the fact that we are all human with real emotions and feelings.
- We shouldn't be so desperate to land a TV news job in a certain market, that we accept a job with crappy pay.
- We shouldn't cry ourselves to sleep because we feel belittled by producers and news directors.
- We shouldn't feel hopeless because we are 'stuck' in unfair contracts.
- We shouldn't let a random viewer's social media comment define our worth.
- We shouldn't be afraid to ask to attend conferences or submit award entries to further our professional development.
- We shouldn't fear going to Human Resources with a problem because we are afraid there might be retaliation from the News Director.
- We shouldn't be expected to 'one-man band' if we do not feel safe.
- We shouldn't have to work in a hostile work environment.
- We shouldn't forgo our vacation days and every holiday because we fear that a coworker will be angry for having to fill in.
- We shouldn't miss every wedding or reunion because we are scared to ask for the day off.
- We shouldn't be afraid to leave town on our days off because a coworker could possibly call out sick.
- We shouldn't sacrifice our health and sleep to work back-to-back split shifts because the company is too cheap to hire another meteorologist.
- We shouldn't be expected to work 22 days in a row because the company doesn't care enough to hire freelancer.
Many of us are being "walked all over" in the newsroom and this is NOT okay. Chief Meteorologists need to defend members of their weather teams when warranted and most importantly, we need to stand up for ourselves!
In my presentation, I will share stories of the negativity I've experienced, discuss how to cope, and offer possible solutions.
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