WNL employees flee workplace due to the return of broadcaster Bert Huisjes

Employees complain about a 'hostile working environment'

Huisjes was dismissed in 2021 due to 'inappropriate behavior'.

After Bert Huisjes' announced return to WNL, several employees have left the broadcaster. This is because they say there is a "hostile working environment" at WNL due to Huisjes' return, RTL Nieuws reports.

Huisjes was fired by WNL in the summer of 2021 after allegations of "inappropriate behavior" surfaced. Several female employees reported that Huisjes had sexually harassed them. Huisjes denied the allegations but was nevertheless dismissed.

Now that Huisjes is returning to WNL, several employees no longer want to work at the broadcaster. "They do not dare to speak out about the situation because they fear reprisals", says an anonymous source who spoke with RTL Nieuws.

WNL denies that there is a "hostile working environment". The broadcaster says that it takes all complaints about inappropriate behavior "very seriously" and that it has a "zero tolerance policy" for such behavior.

The broadcaster also says that it has confidence in Huisjes and that he is a "valuable asset" to the company. "We believe that he can make a positive contribution to WNL," said WNL director Bert Habets.

It is unclear how many employees have left WNL since Huisjes' return. The broadcaster does not want to give any numbers, but RTL Nieuws speaks of a "considerable number".

Sources close to the situation say the departure of employees is "a sign that the atmosphere at WNL is not good". They say that there is a "lot of fear and anxiety" among the employees and that they do not feel safe.