‘Sunshine of the newsroom’: US news anchor Annalisa Klebers says she was bullied by bosses for seeking equal pay, became suicidal – Times of India

Annalisa Klebers, a former anchor at News12, has alleged that her fight for equal pay led to severe workplace retaliation, culminating in a psychotic break that left her on suicide watch.
The award-winning journalist, known for her dedication and professionalism, has filed a claim with the American Arbitration Association, accusing her former employer, Altice USA, of discrimination and mistreatment.
Klebers, 42, anchored the morning news for News12 in Connecticut and New Jersey, earning praise from her supervisors, who once referred to her as the “sunshine of the newsroom.” However, her professional life took a dark turn when she requested a new contract with better pay, after learning she was earning $71,000—a figure significantly lower than her colleagues’ compensation.
According to Klebers, her request was met with hostility. She claims she was “gaslit” by management, excluded from meetings, and burdened with demeaning tasks, such as correcting her co-anchor’s typos. “What management did to me changed my life forever. I almost lost my life. My children came very close to almost losing their mother,” she told The New York Post.
Hired in April 2018, Klebers worked tirelessly during the pandemic, often managing the newsroom alone while covering major events like Governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily briefings. Her efforts earned her a $4,200 bonus which was half of what some of her colleagues received. When she raised concerns about pay disparities, she alleges that management began to ostracise her, even excluding her from a promotional campaign she had spearheaded.
Feeling increasingly alienated, Klebers filed a formal complaint but eventually chose to resign. However, Altice refused to process her resignation, citing the need to investigate her claims. The stress became overwhelming.
“On Friday, May 13, 2022, I became very ill,” she said.
“I had a psychotic break. I was suicidal. This all happened in front of my husband and children and even my sister.”
Her husband, Erik, described her as “catatonic” and recounted how she repeatedly tried to access the garage in what doctors later identified as a suicide attempt. Klebers was hospitalised for six days and placed on suicide watch.
While on disability leave, Klebers was terminated by Altice. Her attorney, Anthony Mango, stated that her career has been irrevocably damaged. “This was brought about by her just making in good faith, raising an issue for the equal pay.”
“It’s really rendered her disabled.”
Klebers is seeking compensation for lost earnings and hopes her case will prevent similar incidents in the future. “This cannot happen to another person, woman or man, in a corporate environment. It should be criminal,” she said.
Altice USA has denied the allegations, stating, “News 12 prides itself on providing an inclusive and equitable workplace where employees can thrive and are compensated based on their skills, contributions, and merit; any gender discrimination claims are entirely baseless, and we will defend against them vigorously.”