Emmanuel Levy, known as Manu Levy, had been in turmoil since the beginning of April. The 53-year-old host was accused by several of his co-hosts, including Isabelle Giami, Valentin Chevalier and Aude Fraineau, of moral harassment. The latter denounced a very toxic work climate. Overwork, anger, threats, outbursts of anger, sexism… As Libération revealed in a long investigation, behind the scenes of the show was much less glamorous than it appeared.
Friday November 15, the industrial tribunal delivered their verdict. After leaving the station in 2023 for abusive reasons for breach of contract, four out of five plaintiffs won their case against the radio. Three of them demanded 100.00 euros. 300,000 euros in total will therefore be paid by NRJ. Other victories were also obtained.
The plaintiffs' lawyer speaks: “A fairly clear and severe victory for NRJ”
For example, as requested by the plaintiffs, their contracts were reclassified as permanent contracts. Some saw their conventional terminations canceled by the judgment. They were also compensated for dismissals deemed unfair, described as “without real and serious cause”.
BFMTV reported the words of Me Pierre Vignal, lawyer for the plaintiffs. He speaks of a “fairly big and severe victory for NRJ. Clearly, the moral harassment has been recognized,” he asserts.
Manu Levy's collaborators speak: “He often said to me, 'You're being stupid on the air'”
A major victory and an equally great failure for Manu Levy. The guy who posed as the friendly big brother on air was apparently a “tyrannical boss” when the microphones were off. In its investigation, Libération collected the comments of Isabelle Giami, which highlighted the deliberate nastiness of the 53-year-old host. “ He often told me “you're being stupid on the air”, and it slowly infused. » Arthur, a contributor to the morning show, had made statements which showed that this toxic climate had pushed more than one person to break down. “ Several times I saw people, especially women, leaving the studio in tears. That didn't stop Manu, he continued to push them. »
Following the results of the deliberation, NRJ declared that it “reserves the right to appeal.” Manu Levy, meanwhile, “categorically refutes all the facts with which he is burdened. »
