WBMA

This newsroom is full of great leaders to learn and grow from. Plus the staff outside of work is super tight knit. Even on the worst days, I’ve made some lifelong friends here that always make it better.

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

As I said previously, Jeff enjoys creating drama between the staff. He likes to pit everyone against each other, but no one ever wins. If you like drama this is the place to be. His new thing just before I left, was to start hiding little blue plastic ninjas all over the station for people to find. There was no explanation of why he was doing this. He would waste probably an hour or two every single day hiding and then re hiding these ninjas. Meanwhile he would forget to schedule a producer for this shift and forget to schedule a director for that shift. Always short staffed and undervalued here.

Jeff has managed to drive off some really great people. Only a handful of "old timers" are still around. Even most of them want out but can't because they don't want to relocate or can't retire yet. If you go to HR and/or the GM for anything, even if you are in the right, they will immediately turn it back around on you. Low morale and lack of support from management. So glad I have moved on.

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

Massive turnover- disrespectful managers - too focused on tiny things instead of overarching issues - regional ND is a former news director from a previous job. His unscrupulous morals and uncomfortable convos with women were always apparent when he was in town. The entire Sinclair executive board of suits would talk about leaving their wives to visit their girlfriends in Bham. Disgusting. That regional ND once had me do a studio fashion show for him before I could report on the morning show. He picked the outfits he wanted me to wear and how he wanted my hair. It made me feel gross.

It wasn’t always like this the former ND, Garry, was fair and a hard worker. He’d work the desk in an ongoing breaking situation like snow. He’d fill in on a show if someone’s child got sick .... he’d listen and consider other ideas. He wasn’t perfect, but it set the tone for the entire operation. When he left, the newsroom fell a part. My friends who still work there confirm.. it hasn’t recovered. So many people get out of the biz, quit with no job lined up, and cry in the parking lot. It’s no way to live. I haven’t regretted getting out, once.

An Overall Toxic Work Environment

Management consisted of bullies. The GM, The ND, and HR all team up to bully you. HR here is a joke. She will only take the station side no matter what. Even if you go to her first, she turns it around and blames you.

Avoid at all costs. I worked here in production several years ago under different management. I loved it then. I came back as a producer and it wasn’t the same station. Everyone is miserable. Everyone! I’m the 4th producer to quit in the last 2 months. The other 4 are looking to quit as soon as they can.

Racial Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment

I was constantly harassed by another coworker. Upon reporting it I was immediately deemed a “non team player”. I reported it over and over and nothing was done about it until I was finally demoted. The News Director’s mottos for leadership: “I prefer to inspire with fear” and “if people like you, you aren’t doing a good job.”

Avoid if at all possible. Unless you are on the favorites list, you will be bullied constantly, by management. There has been a complete turnover in the newsroom in less than two years. And the turnover continues.