Medien: ORF-Chef in Österreich gekündigt – Rechtsstreit weitet sich aus
Eine Mitarbeiterin klagt den Ex-Chef des Senders wegen mutmaßlicher sexueller Belästigung. Der kämpft wiederum gegen seine Entlassung.
ORF's chief, Roland Weißmann, has been let go from his position following allegations of sexual harassment towards a female employee. The woman has now filed a lawsuit in court, demanding compensation for alleged sexual harassment. Weißmann denies these accusations. The lawsuit also includes a claim against the ORF itself as well as an additional demand for 200,000 Euros in compensation and pension contributions.
The case is not solely about the harassment allegations, but also about Weißmann's termination in April following the revelation of the claims. The public prosecutor's office in Vienna is investigating both the woman and her legal counsel for suspected blackmail and illegal recording of sounds. Weißmann's legal counsel stated that the matter is far more complex than initially perceived.
ORF's investigation found that Weißmann's actions constituted misconduct, but no sexual harassment. Austrian law defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual behavior or intimate touching, but not verbal offenses. Sending intimate images without consent has only been illegal in Austria since last spring. The events surrounding Weißmann have led to a major reshuffle in the ORF's management, with several top executives recently being acquitted of suspected misconduct.
The former chief of the APA news agency will take over as the new ORF chief in early 2027, after the current CEO of the major broadcaster retires.
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