Radio broadcaster Ray Hadley’s colleagues have come forward detailing the alleged bullying and intimidation they suffered while working under the 2GB host.
Several former employees have opened up claiming Hadley verbally lashed out at them, forced them to do menial tasks, and even laughed at a colleague’s grievances when he complained.
In an interview on ABC’s 7.30 on Wednesday night, Grandstand presenter Andrew Moore claimed he once witnessed the broadcaster rip a tape machine out and throw it against the wall in a fit of rage.
At the time, Moore was a student on work experience but said he continued to witness Hadley’s angry behaviour even after he was hired as a 2GB commentator.
As a broadcaster, Hadley was ‘very hardworking’ and ‘very successful,’ Moore said.
Former colleagues have come forward claiming 2GB host Ray Hadley had verbally abused them and intimidated them at work. Hadley’s former personal panel operator Chris Bowen (pictured left) claimed he was tasked with rolling the broadcaster’s chair in and out everyday
‘As a human being, I think he’s a bully. I think he thrives on intimidation … yelling and screaming.’
Hadley’s alleged fury appears to not escape even those who were his friend, according to former staff member Chris Bowen, who said he had to seek treatment after leaving the job.
Bowen had worked as Hadley’s personal panel operator for 16 years and revealed the broadcaster was an MC at his wedding.
Bowen said he had been tasked with wheeling the host’s chair in and out of the studio which he found ‘degrading.’
But when he complained to Hadley in an email, he reportedly replied: ‘Do it or find another job.’
Last week, Hadley took to the airwaves to address the allegations and apologise for his ‘former behaviour.’
‘I gave my word in 2013 to my fellow staff members, the sort of culture I grew up in would no longer be the standard.’
He also personally apologised to Bowen, who had gone public about the abuse in a Facebook post.
‘I am regretful I wasn’t more supportive. I am sorry for any hurt I have caused him,’ Hadley said.
Bowen revealed Hadley had even been an MC at his wedding. He later claimed he had to seek mental health treatment as a result of the abuse he suffered at work
Moore claimed the two had fallen out over a scheduling dispute and said during his final year at the station the abuse had become so bad it began to take a mental toll on him.
After becoming isolated from his wife and family due his problems at work, Moore said he sought a psychologist who diagnosed him with anxiety.
When he complained to the station’s management, Moore claimed Hadley somehow became aware and ‘laughed’ about the complaints on air without naming him.
Hadley told ABC he didn’t recall the incident.
Moore said he believes the station has failed to take action on the powerful host because he’s the cash cow.
‘He brings in a lot of revenue. They pay him a lot of money and they’re going to protect that at all costs,’ he said.
Another colleague, Jesse Perez, who worked in the newsroom, claimed he experienced Hadley’s wrath in 2009 after writing a satirical piece that the host allegedly didn’t understand.
ABC Grandstand presenter Andrew Moore (left) claimed he once witnessed Hadley throw a tape machine against the wall in a fit of rage. Journalist Imre Salusinszky (right) said he was targeted
Perez said he was called into Hadley’s studio which he described felt like being ‘fed to the lions’ and was called ‘every possible name under the sun.’
‘I was there for about 10-15 minutes. The time frame is a bit blurry, but it was essentially a furious diatribe. It was a ferocious amount of rage that was directed at me. Expletives out the wazoo,’ he said.
‘He said that he would drag me by my effing ear up to Singo (referring to John Singleton) – and have me out on my ass.’
Perez claimed the experienced left him in a panic, causing him to nearly vomit.
‘It was like my guts fell out of my body because I’ve never experience anything of that ferocity in my professional life,’ he said.
He later reported the incident to management but claims no further action was taken.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Ray Hadley for comment.
Hadley (pictured in 2018) apologised on air for his ‘former behaviour.’ He also personally apologised to Bowen, who had gone public about the abuse in a Facebook post