Is CBS News Investigating the Boss's Management Style? *
CBS News is currently undergoing an internal review of the management style of its boss, Neeraj Khemlani. The review was prompted by complaints from employees about his leadership style, which some have described as "rude" and "micromanaging". The investigation is being headed by CBS corporate HR executive Whitney Delich, and is said to focus on how Khemlani speaks to women and employees of color.
Last year, reports emerged about Khemlani's behavior on the job as he sought to revitalize the struggling network by cutting costs. This led to tension with CBS Evening News anchor Norah O'Donnell, whose salary was reportedly reduced from $8 million to $3.8 million.
In response to the complaints, Khemlani was previously subjected to a 360 performance review which determined that he needed to attend counseling sessions to learn how to speak to employees "without sarcasm" and use "friendly body language". Staffers also claimed that he was told to ensure that he was "communicating" clearly and that everyone on his team "understood their roles".
Despite the complaints, CBS CEO George Cheeks has expressed support for Khemlani and his vision for a "next-generation news operation". A rep from CBS News also stated that the changes were not about cutting costs, but rather "building and positioning CBS News and its prestigious brand to compete and succeed in a broadcast and streaming world." The company is expected to announce several new hires in the coming weeks as part of this effort.