Controversy follows reports of toxic culture at media company
Seven West Media has addressed criticism from a circulating video that shows "sexy Santas" dancing during a staff meeting.
The video, which was first reported by Nine Entertainment-owned Australian Financial Review, shows four women dressed as "sexy Santas" dancing to Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is You.
According to various reports, some employees present during the staff meeting were shocked and walked out in protest at the scene.
One employee even told The Guardian that it was "incredibly cringe."
"I don't know if I was necessarily offended but it was cringe," said the employee, who remained anonymous.
A spokesperson for Seven West Media said the dancers were part of the annual Christmas Pageant, which is a "Perth institution" and airs on Channel 7 on December 7, according to the report.
'Way over the top'
The controversy became the centre of attention on social media — instead of new appointments at Seven during the meeting, according to The Guardian.
The appointments included Adrian Lowe as the first LGBT appointment as head of the weekend newspaper The Sunday Times, Chris Dore as the new editor-in-chief of The West Australian, and Sarah-Jane Tasker as its first female editor.
Tasker told The Guardian that media reaction to the event was "way over the top."
According to the editor, it was an "upfront-style presentation" with fireworks and sizzle reels instead of a standard staff meeting.
"I understand the focus from Nine, clearly they want to score points against Seven and will do so in any way possible," Tasker told The Guardian. "But I take this personally because what these stories are describing is not the workplace I love and am proud to work in and now lead alongside Chris Dore."
Toxic work culture allegations
The "sexy Santas" controversy erupted following a report from ABC Four Corners that revealed a "toxic work culture" at Seven.
A representative of Seven said they are "clearly concerned about allegations of poor behaviour and any mistreatment of employees."
It stressed that "unacceptable behaviour is not tolerated" in their organisation.
