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Former ‘Jeopardy!’ staffers file discrimination, retaliation complaints against Sony

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Former 'Jeopardy!' staffers file discrimination, retaliation complaints against Sony

As a longtime fan of both “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” it’s disheartening to learn about the allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against Sony Pictures Entertainment by former staff members. The experiences shared by Shelley Ballance Ellis and Monique Diaz are deeply concerning, especially given their significant contributions to these beloved game shows over the years.

Previously employed individuals on “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” production teams have submitted claims of employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to Sony Pictures Entertainment following accusations that the Culver City-based company terminated employees who expressed concerns about a hostile work environment.

On Thursday, Shelley Ballance Ellis, who used to work as a production executive in game shows, and Monique Diaz, who once worked in the clearance and licensing department of the series, each submitted complaints to the California Civil Rights Department. Previously, they had lodged complaints with the National Labor Relations Board for alleged unfair labor practices concerning similar issues.

As a devoted fan, I’d like to share that when Sony Pictures was faced with questions about their recent layoffs, they clarified that these decisions weren’t made in response or as a form of retaliation. Instead, they pointed out that these changes were part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at enhancing their operations.

Sony Pictures Entertainment treats all claims of discrimination with utmost importance, as expressed in an official statement. Earlier this year, there was a significant restructuring within our game show division that led to the phasing out of certain positions due to the need to streamline operations and adapt to the ever-changing business requirements of an organization over 40 years old. These decisions were made for operational efficiency purposes, not as retaliation.

Ballance Ellis, in her complaint, introduced herself as the most senior Black executive in charge of production for both “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” and head of their clearance and licensing department for a span of 26 years. She alleges that Sony terminated her, along with every diverse member of her team, due to ongoing complaints about workplace discrimination they had raised.

In April, Diaz found herself among those who were let go from their jobs. In her claim, she states that her termination occurred following her protest about receiving a much lower salary compared to a new white employee in a more junior position.

As a devoted fan, I’ve learned that based on the official documents, the white staff member was earning an annual income of $125,000, while Diaz’s annual salary was $75,000. However, after Diaz voiced her concerns, Sony reportedly increased her yearly salary to $113,000.

According to their lawyers, Hillary Benham-Baker and Peter Romer-Friedman, the former employees assert that they, along with their colleagues, were let go due to objecting against racial discrimination at work, the significant wage disparity faced by Ms. Diaz, the glass ceiling, and other biases experienced by Ms. Ballance Ellis as an older Black woman. They made this statement in a press release on Thursday.

As a film enthusiast, I, Ballance Ellis, claim in my lawsuit that following our termination, Sony primarily hired younger white staff members to take our places.

Apart from wage disparities and unfair hiring policies, Ballance Ellis and Diaz also highlighted their concerns over several problematic issues. These include airing footage of Southern plantations on “Wheel of Fortune”, racist comments made towards Black women in the workplace and the show’s control room, biased “Jeopardy!” riddles, as well as other offensive content they found unacceptable.

In her allegation of unfair labor practices, Ballance Ellis stated that these incidents led to significant emotional and psychological strain, not just for herself but also for her fellow workers, in addition to causing financial damage.

Over the last few years, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! have gone through a period of substantial change and self-reflection, spurred by a committed new management team. Their focus is on establishing an environment that embraces diversity and respect. We hold these values dear as we embark on a fresh chapter for our game shows, doing so with determination and caution.

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2024-10-25 04:01

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