Tabitha Bartoe, a former morning weather anchor for WATE 6 in Knoxville, has come forward with allegations of workplace bullying that ultimately led to her firing in May of this year. Bartoe claims that after only three days on the job, her superiors began criticizing her body and hair, ultimately sending her to two salon appointments to make her hair more manageable. Bartoe also claims that her bosses asked her to change her wardrobe, insisting that she wear dresses on-air. Despite her complaints about her treatment, Bartoe says none of her grievances were addressed, and she was fired after just four months because “her style did not align with the company.” Fellow anchors have tweeted in support of Bartoe, with one anchor questioning whether she was fired for not straightening her hair. Bartoe has since spoken out about her experience, emphasizing the importance of accepting people for who they are. While she acknowledges that coverage of her story could hurt her career prospects, she is pursuing a career in media while earning an online master’s degree in communication.
Former Morning Anchor Ken Rosato Fired Over Derogatory Remark Made On-Air
Ken Rosato, former anchor of Eyewitness News This Morning, was fired last week for making an off-colour remark heard on an open mic during a broadcast. According to sources, Rosato called his co-worker Shirleen Allicot a “c***t” during the show, a term that was picked up by microphones in the studio. The nature of the remark was not disclosed by management, but the evidence was enough to warrant Rosato’s immediate termination. Rosato had worked on the programme for ten years and is a respected journalist, having won an Emmy Award in 2007 for his coverage of a steam pipe explosion in New York City. A representative has denied speculation that Rosato used a racial slur during his time with the organisation, which management also refused to disclose. On Friday, the station’s general manager sent an email to staff notifying them of Rosato’s departure and thanking him for his years of service. Neither Rosato nor Allicot have commented on the situation.
While the two stories are clearly different, it is important to focus on each individually and to acknowledge the different types of behaviour. Bartoe’s allegations of workplace bullying, particularly around her appearance, are unfortunately not uncommon. Women, especially those in the public eye, are often subjected to scrutiny about their appearance. In the case of Bartoe, it seems that her bosses went too far, insisting that she change her appearance entirely to suit their preferences. This is unacceptable behaviour in any workplace. Women should be judged on their job performance and qualifications, not on what they look like.
In the case of Rosato, the use of a derogatory term towards a co-worker is equally unacceptable. While the exact nature of his comment was not disclosed, the fact that it was derogatory towards a female colleague is troubling. It is important to note that this behaviour is not exclusive to any one industry. Men using derogatory language towards women is a pervasive issue in the workplace, and it is a behaviour that needs to be called out and addressed.
Both of these stories serve as reminders that there is still a lot of work to be done when it comes to creating a safe and inclusive work environment for all. Though the details differ, both of these stories share a common thread of discrimination. It is up to all of us to hold ourselves and our colleagues accountable for our behaviour and to work towards a future where incidents like these are no longer a part of workplace culture.
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