CBS has lined up new human resources procedures ahead of the fall TV season, including a confidential third-part reporting system and new on-set HR reps for all of its shows.
The changes were announced in a joint memo to staff from CBS Entertainment president Kelly Kahl and CBS Television Studios president David Stapf on Monday.
“The details for these programs are still being finalized and will be formally announced before our shows start production this summer,” the duo wrote. “We wanted you to hear about it from us first.”
The biggest change is the addition of “human resources production partners” for every CBS TV Studios production. CBS says each partner will be a “highly trained” HR executive who will be present on set on a regular basis to “provide a recognizable name and face for everyone…to confidentially discuss any potential workplace situation.”
Other developments include a new “independent, third party reporting system for all employees” and revised in-person anti-harassment training programs.
The new systems and procedures come as CBS looks to rehabilitate its reputation following the ouster of top executive Leslie Moonves amid a swirl of sexual harassment and misconduct allegations. In the months since, the company has appointed Laurie Rosenfield to the newly created role of chief people officer and named Hazel Mayers chief business ethics and compliance officer.
“A safe and positive workplace forms the best possible creative culture and lets people do their best work,” Kahl and Stapf wrote. “Thank you all for sharing our commitment to this process. We look forward to discussing more details about these programs with you, as well as with our producers, in the weeks ahead.”
Read the full memo below.
Good morning everyone!
For several months, Joe and his team have been keeping us informed about CBS’ commitment to cultural transformation and dedicating more resources to important areas that ensure CBS is a safe, fair and inclusive place to work.
Today, we are reaching out to share a few important, new developments the Company has in the works that speak directly to our production process. The details for these programs are still being finalized and will be formally announced before our shows start production this summer. We wanted you to hear about it from us first.
The main headline is that we will have a very expanded and visible Human Resources structure supporting all CBS Studios’ productions. A big part of this will be the introduction of “human resources production partners” assigned to all shows. These will be highly trained HR executives who will be on our sets on a regular basis to ensure safety and build trust with the cast, producers and staff. These production partners will provide a recognizable name and face for everyone on set, regardless of title, to confidentially discuss any potential workplace situation.
At the same time, an independent, third party reporting system for all employees – both in CBS offices and on sets -is being put into place. Professionals outside of CBS will receive these calls and emails, providing another confidential reporting option for our production employee base.
In addition, with the support of Laurie Rosenfield and the HR specialists, we will expand our training and development programs. New in-person, anti-harassment training will be introduced for all CBS Studios’ productions, as well as customized training as necessary.
We also wanted to remind everyone that CBS recently announced a new Chief Business Ethics and Compliance Officer, Hazel Mayers, who is centralizing the Employees Relations function and reporting procedures. We will have more information from Hazel about this in the days ahead.
A safe and positive workplace forms the best possible creative culture and lets people do their best work. Thank you all for sharing our commitment to this process. We look forward to discussing more details about these programs with you, as well as with our producers, in the weeks ahead.