Former employees and other insiders are describing an unusually restrictive workplace culture surrounding Howard Stern as his SiriusXM show undergoes layoffs and prepares for a sharply reduced live schedule.
Among the claims is an alleged warning that staff members should not approach Stern directly at company parties. One insider told The U.S. Sun that employees were warned before gatherings not to speak to the radio host and were allegedly told that people had previously been fired for doing so.
Stern has reportedly denied in the past that such a rule existed. No named former employee has publicly confirmed losing a job specifically for approaching him at a party.
The workplace claims arrive amid a much broader shake-up at The Howard Stern Show, including multiple reported rounds of layoffs and plans for Stern to produce only one new live broadcast per week when the program returns from its summer break.
Insiders Claim Staff Were Warned Not to Approach Stern at Parties
The alleged party rule was described by multiple sources in The U.S. Sun’s investigation into the workplace surrounding Stern. “People were warned before any company parties not to speak to Howard,” one insider claimed, adding that staff were allegedly told people had previously been fired for violating the instruction.
The outlet noted that Stern had previously addressed rumors about such a rule and denied that employees were forbidden from speaking to him at parties. The source maintained that staff continued receiving warnings despite that denial.
Sources Describe a Workplace Focused Heavily on Stern
Insiders also characterized the atmosphere inside Stern’s SiriusXM operation in New York as “cult-like” or “cultish,” descriptions that reflect their personal assessments. One source claimed employees were intensely interested in getting Stern’s attention and approval and pointed to numerous photographs of the host displayed throughout the workplace.
The source also mentioned staff members greeting one another with “Hey now,” Stern’s familiar catchphrase. A second insider said the environment could particularly appear cult-like “if you’re on the outside looking in,” while also acknowledging that employees naturally want to please the person ultimately in charge of their workplace.
The Show Has Reportedly Gone Through Two Waves of Layoffs
View this post on Instagram
The workplace allegations follow months of staffing cuts at The Howard Stern Show, although published reports differ on exactly how many employees have lost their jobs. Page Six reported that roughly a dozen staffers were let go in July after employees were informed of the changes during a Zoom call.
The U.S. Sun subsequently reported a much larger overall figure. According to its sources, at least 40 mostly behind-the-scenes employees were dismissed in a February 12 round of cuts, followed by another 16 positions on July 13.
The outlet reported that the July cuts included several recognizable on-air contributors, including Benjy Bronk, Memet Walker, Jonathan Blitt and Mike Trainor. Blitt later joked about his departure in an Instagram video in which he pretended to begin a new job at Old Navy, telling followers it was his first day and tagging the clip “#newbeginning.”
Some former employees have also reportedly challenged their initial severance offers. Page Six and The U.S. Sun reported that packages were generally tied to years of service, while sources said some workers objected to nondisclosure provisions associated with the agreements.
Stern Is Cutting Back to One Live Show a Week
The staffing changes come less than a year after Stern extended his relationship with SiriusXM. The company officially announced on December 16, 2025, that Stern had agreed to remain with SiriusXM for another three years.
Stern said at the time that the agreement gave him a more flexible schedule and allowed him to balance additional free time with continuing his radio career. Recent reports say that flexibility will include a significant reduction in new programming.
Stern is expected to return from summer break with one new live broadcast per week instead of the more frequent schedule he previously maintained. Page Six reported that a core group of veteran producers will remain while archival material fills more of the schedule.