Nine Entertainment chief executive Mike Sneesby told staff that the media company does not tolerate inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and reiterated its complaints and whistleblower policies following reports of misconduct by a senior TV executive.

“It is important for everyone at Nine to know that we don’t tolerate inappropriate behaviour in the workplace and want to know if there is inappropriate behaviour occurring, so that it can be addressed promptly,” he told staff in internal email on Wednesday.

“If you raise an issue, including making a complaint, our processes are designed to ensure the confidentiality and protection for the individual, as well as the confidentiality of the person who the complaint is directed at. This is critical – no matter what level you are in our business, to ensure you feel safe to make a complaint and know that it will be handled seriously and discreetly,” he said.

Sneesby said the email was in response to external media reports.

On Monday, News Corp publications reported that the departure of Nine network news boss Darren Wick earlier this year followed allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a female staff member. Nine Entertainment owns the broadcaster as well as this masthead.

The report claimed that the matter was raised at board level.

Nine declined to comment.

Wick resigned in March after 29 years at the network, following weeks of speculation over his unexplained absence at Nine’s Sydney headquarters. He had been in the role of news director for 13 years.

Wick told staff in an email that he had been taking time to contemplate his future.