Ellen DeGeneres is nice. Of course, she is. It’s her persona. She’s always doing nice things for people and she is so personable and funny. It stands to reason that her staff loves her just as much as her fans do.
But, that isn’t what’s been in the news lately. There have been multiple complaints of a “toxic” workplace, with three producers fired for their bad behavior. There is all sorts of stuff about internal investigations and the like, as well.
But, this is what caught my eye: the resolution.
Staffers will receive five paid days off to use at their discretion, birthdays off, and paid time for doctors’ appointments and family matters, one source familiar with the series told Variety.
DeGeneres has an estimated net worth of $490 million and receives a salary of $75 million, and the resolution was five days of vacation (extra, I hope!) and paid time off for doctor’s appointments?
Granted, the employees don’t work for DeGeneres directly, but for the production company, but couldn’t she settle for, say $74 million a year (give up those avocado toasts and lattes, and you can make it work!) and give better perks to the staff, without whom there would be no show?
Yes, I understand how the market works. There are far more people who want to work on such a show than there are positions, so pay and benefits don’t have to be high to attract candidates. But, when you’ve been so blessed, you should be looking out for your staff. (This isn’t limited to Hollywood complaints–Jeff Bezos, I’m looking at you.)
Don’t tell me how much you love and appreciate your staff when they haven’t had paid time off for doctors’ appointments and the business can afford it. (There are certainly many businesses–especially now–that operate at the edge and have trouble meeting payroll. I’m not talking about these companies.)
Remove toxic people, especially toxic managers, from your staff, and pay your people well and give them the time off they deserve. It should be common sense.
Is this 5 additional days, or are the 5 days the total they’re allowed off?
Don’t tell me you love and appreciate your staff when….you are absolutely clueless about what is going on in your organization. Or, probably more realistic: you know what is going on, but since your are a star you couldn’t be bothered. Even evil one are caught up in the myth that Ellen is “nice.” She as and “actor” and portrays the image that will get her the most payback.
This is the mist left-wing thing I’ve seen on this blog! I aagree wholeheartedly. There is no justification for people making millions or billions to not provide good salaries and generous benefits to their staff.
I’ve caught a few segments of the Ellen Show on youtube. And, TBH, I don’t quite get the “nice” branding. Ellen is either a really good actress, or she really enjoys truly embarrassing her subjects. She doesn’t come across as “ha ha doesn’t everybody think this is funny?” but more like, “i’m getting a laugh at your expense, and I’m enjoying this more than I should.” But everybody forgets that when the big prizes start flying around.
Put it this way… I get a kick out of most of the “Average Andy” segments. They’re funny. He takes it well. But when Ellen is wrapping up the segment, she’s laughing at him, not with him.
I worked in Hollywood for many years and this is all too familiar. The reason people put up with is is simple: If you can climb the ladder and get through it the money you can make is unbelievable. As the late Don Ohlmeyer said, “The answer is always money.”