Annalisa Klebers, an award-winning journalist and anchor for News12, claims that asking for equal pay resulted in severe repercussions from her network, leading to a psychotic break and being placed on suicide watch. Klebers had been working for Altice USA-owned News12 stations in Connecticut and New Jersey, making $71,000 and wanting a better contract. She alleges that after inquiring about a pay raise, she experienced months of mistreatment, gaslighting, exclusion from meetings, and additional, demeaning work assignments.
Despite being praised as the “sunshine of the newsroom” by supervisors, Klebers began to experience alienation and blame for technical difficulties after questioning her contract and compensation. She was responsible for various tasks during the pandemic, including covering Gov. Cuomo’s press conferences, but discovered that her co-workers were receiving significantly higher bonuses than her. She felt humiliated, marginalized, and believed that management was attempting to force her to quit or react negatively to the mistreatment she was facing.
Klebers alleges a series of discriminatory actions against her, such as being excluded from a promotional advertisement and facing gender-based mistreatment. After deciding to resign due to the toxic work environment, Altice refused to accept her departure, citing the need to investigate her complaint. This, combined with the ongoing mistreatment, led to Klebers experiencing a psychotic break on May 13, 2022, resulting in a suicide attempt and a six-day stay in a psych ward. Klebers was subsequently fired by Altice while on disability leave.
Her attorney, Anthony Mango, stated that Klebers’ career has been derailed to the point where she does not see a path back to an anchor desk in any newsroom. She is seeking compensation for the income she would have made as an anchor if not for the mistreatment she faced. Klebers decided to go public with her story in the hopes of preventing similar incidents from happening to others in corporate environments. Altice USA has denied any gender discrimination claims and stated that they provide an inclusive and equitable workplace.
Klebers’ case highlights the impact of workplace discrimination and the importance of addressing gender-based pay disparities. Her experience sheds light on the challenges faced by women in male-dominated industries and the significant toll that mistreatment and retaliation can have on an individual’s mental health. Klebers’ decision to speak out serves as a call to action for organizations to prioritize equality, fairness, and mental well-being in the workplace. It also emphasizes the need for mental health support and resources for individuals facing similar challenges.
