Roland Weißmann's resignation as Director General of the Austrian broadcasting network ORF has prompted the supervisory board to investigate potential systemic issues within the organization. This follows allegations of sexual harassment against Weißmann by an employee, which he vehemently denies. In response, the board is contemplating necessary structural changes to improve compliance and support for employees facing such allegations.

The board's current approach includes establishing a compliance office to thoroughly examine the harassment claims and forming a task force to assess and enhance the leadership culture within ORF. This signifies a shift towards a proactive strategy in addressing organizational issues rather than reactive measures, highlighting the urgency of creating a safer work environment.

Interestingly, the situation was complicated by the fact that the accuser opted to contact legal counsel and the supervisory board directly rather than use internal reporting resources such as the hotline or equality officer. This has raised concerns among board members about the effectiveness of ORF's internal procedures and the overall climate within the organization, indicating a need for significant reform in handling sensitive allegations.