NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 14:49
Under the leadership of Arnold Karskens, there was a widespread culture of fear at Ongehoord Nederland (ON). This is stated in a report about the broadcaster published today. Following the investigation, which was conducted on behalf of the supervisory board, Karskens was dismissed as chairman and member of the board on Friday.
The man who co-founded the broadcaster at the end of 2019 had already been successively suspended in August and provisionally suspended. He spoke then, and again Friday in a press statement on Xof a coup against him and believes that the investigation is “rattling on all sides”. The accusations against him are “unverifiable anonymous accusations about alleged transgressive behavior”. Karskens could not be reached by NOS this afternoon.
“Eleven employees have commented positively in a letter about my performance, but their opinion has not been taken into account,” he says. The researchers write that three employees indicated that Karskens’ suspension was unnecessary.
According to the report, before Karskens’ forced departure, there was a disturbed work culture at ON, “in which employees did not feel free to express their opinions, report abuses or work together in a constructive manner.” According to the researchers, this was mainly due to Karskens’ leadership. His will was law: he “expected obedience and respect” because it “concerned his broadcaster”.
Intimidation
Intimidation, verbal abuse, bullying and abuse of power were commonplace in the workplace, the report said. According to one interviewee, Karskens often came very close when he wanted to say something, sometimes a few centimeters from your face. “That felt very intimidating, especially if you disagreed with him.”
Employees told investigators that they often felt pressured to go along with Karskens’ decisions without objection, even if they disagreed. According to those interviewed, he could have erupted differently. Karskens “often came in screaming if he was not satisfied with our work” and once “started shouting that he was the expert and that we couldn’t do anything without him. Moreover, he allegedly threatened to lose his job.
Karskens is also said to have made sexually transgressive comments. He allegedly said of a female colleague who walked away that she had a “nice ass.” Karskens is also said to have told an employee that she was wearing clothes that were too short because she wanted to seduce him. “He’s 70, what’s the point?” was her response to the interviewers.
High employee turnover
The negative work environment led to high staff turnover and high absenteeism. In the few years that the broadcaster has existed, fifteen employees have left, according to the report. “With a (current) workforce of twenty employees, this is high,” the researchers write.
They say they conducted interviews with eighteen of the twenty employees. Only the two temporary directors – former PVV MP Harm Beertema (interim chairman) and business director Nienke van Herksen van der Meijden – were not interviewed. Two former employees were also asked about their findings.
According to the investigators, despite repeated requests, Karskens refused to speak with him on their terms. For example, he allegedly demanded that the anonymity of the employees be lifted. “All their sources are presented anonymously. What is there to hide, I wonder,” Karskens said on Friday.
Arnold Karskens: A Case Study in Broadcasting Bonkerness
Ah, the world of broadcasting! A place where the news isn’t just broken—it’s also shattered, stomped on, and sometimes, it seems, yelled at. Enter Arnold Karskens, co-founder of the broadcaster Ongehoord Nederland (ON), whose recent fall from grace reads like a script for a soap opera, complete with intimidation tactics, transgressive comments, and a work culture so toxic that even a bottle of bleach would hesitate to enter.
Culture of Fear: A Karskens Classic
Under Karskens’ authoritative reign—which seemed more like a one-man show than a team effort—employees were reportedly gripped by a culture of fear. His leadership style has been described as “my way or the highway,” and judging by the number of people leaving the broadcaster, it seems many chose the latter. Seriously, fifteen employees out of a twenty-strong workforce jumped ship?! That would make for a riveting episode of *Survivor*—”Survivor: Broadcast Edition!”
But wait, it gets better. Karskens himself dismissed the damning report as a coup against him, claiming it was filled with unverifiable, anonymous accusations. Now, that’s a classic line! “Anonymous accusations” is just code for “I’ve got no idea who’s blaming me, but let’s panic!” You almost want to applaud the sheer audacity of it all. It’s like saying, “I didn’t rob the bank; it was a bunch of ninjas!”
Intimidation: The Not-So-Subtle Art of Karskens
Just how scary was Karskens as a boss? Let’s just put it this way: when you’d see him approach, you’d think you were being beckoned by a grizzly bear rather than your manager. Employees described moments when he’d lean in so close while speaking you could probably count the hairs on his nose. Talk about personal space! Because nothing says “team spirit” like a grown man yelling in your face about how you’re all incompetent.
Let’s not forget the bullying and shouting fits—vogue behaviour for the aspiring despotic leader. Apparently, Karskens had a penchant for reminding his staff that he was the “expert” and that they were merely “the help.” Oh, and save the best for last: sexual comments that likely put him on the fast track to being the office pariah, if he wasn’t already. Compliments about a colleague’s “nice ass” and critiques on attire choice? Not so much an HR conversation as an episode of *What Not To Wear*.
High Turnover Rates: The Karskens Effect
The punchline is that a staggering fifteen out of twenty employees decided that life was too short to endure Karskens’ reign. That’s a turnover rate that would make even the most experienced temp agency cringe! The poor retention rate highlights a work environment that made people want to flee faster than people trying to exit a restaurant when they see Gordon Ramsay is about to walk in.
While Karskens claimed positive feedback came from eleven employees (who were presumably risking their lives for not backing him with handshakes), the message is crystal clear: when the boss is the actual ‘toxic’ brand ambassador, it’s time to pack up the desk plant and hit the road.
Conclusion: Communicating Through Comedy
In the grand tapestry of broadcasting scandals, Arnold Karskens’ saga serves as a cautionary tale on what not to do if you ever find yourself at the helm of an organization. In a world where communication matters, it’s crucial for leaders to exhibit empathy and foster a collaborative environment rather than sending shockwaves of fear through the office. Remember, folks, a little kindness goes a long way—unless you’re a grizzly bear masquerading as a broadcaster!
