Howard Stern staffers not allowed to speak to radio host at parties in ‘cultish’ company: ‘People were warned’

By Page Six | Created at 2026-08-09 18:52:23 | Updated at 2026-08-09 22:58:34 7 hours ago

Howard Stern staffers revealed the strange rules they had to follow while working under the famed radio host in the alleged “cultish” company.

“People were warned before any company parties not to speak to Howard, with the added note that people have actually gotten fired for it,” an insider claimed to the US Sun.

Sources also told the outlet that Stern’s SiriusXM section in New York City felt “cultish.”

“All of these men [who work for Stern] are so desperate for Howard’s attention, it’s like they all just like want Daddy’s approval so bad,” one source alleged to the US Sun.

Staffers of Howard Stern’s radio show detailed their workplace environment. (Pictured: Stern in 2014.) Kevin Mazur
“People were warned before any company parties not to speak to Howard, with the added note that people have actually gotten fired for it,” an insider claimed to the US Sun. (Pictured: Stern arriving to “Good Morning America.”) Ouzounova / SplashNews.com

“I think that a lot of them like acted out to get that attention. You go into that compound, and it’s just pictures of Howard everywhere,” the insider claimed.

“And then everyone greets each other like, ‘Hey now, hey now,’” said the source, referring to one of Stern’s notable catchphrases.

“And it all seems light and fun, but once you step back, you see it as something else.”

A second source told the US Sun that the workplace environment could feel like a cult, “especially if you’re on the outside looking in.”

Sources told the outlet that Stern’s SiriusXM section in NYC felt “cultish.” (Pictured: Stern on the radio in 2006.) Getty Images
“All of these men [who work for Stern] are so desperate for Howard’s attention, it’s like they all just like want Daddy’s approval so bad,” one source alleged to the US Sun. (Pictured: Stern on the radio in June.) @sternshow/X

“Whenever you’re part of something, and you know someone is in charge of everything, you know you want to please that person,” that second insider alleged. 

Page Six has reached out to Howard’s reps for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Allegations about Stern’s workplace environment surfaced nearly a month after a dozen of his staffers were laid off from his SiriusXM show.

The employees received the news over Zoom last month, Page Six exclusively reported.

We were also told that Stern — who earns roughly $8,000 per minute — was preparing to drop to just one new show a week after Labor Day.

An insider claimed there were photos of Stern (see n above on the radio in 2006) “everywhere.” Getty Images
Last month, a dozen of his staffers were laid off from Stern’s SiriusXM show. (Pictured: Stern in 2023.) Getty Images

We also reported that Stern kept a core team of veteran producers, but “he just doesn’t need that much content anymore.”

Employees are now reportedly fighting for more severance after getting laid off.

The US Sun reported that not everyone signed the NDA attached to their packages and are negotiating their exits.

Last December, Stern signed a new contract to remain on the air for another three years, which he said would give him more “flexibility” within his hectic schedule.

Employees are reportedly fighting for more severance after getting laid off. (Pictured: Stern on his radio show.) @sternshow/X
In April, Stern and his wife, Beth (both seen above in 2025), were sued by their former assistant for allegedly creating a hostile work environment. Getty Images

In April, Stern and his wife, Beth, were sued by former assistant Leslie Kuhn for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.

According to the docs obtained by Page Six, Kuhn says she was fired because of “a hostile work environment” and “immense pressures on the household created by irresponsible and untenable animal rescue and fostering operations occurring on-site, and massively disorganized and questionable business operations and accounting practices.”

Stern and his wife filed to dismiss Kuhn’s $2.5 million lawsuit, dubbing the complaint a “shakedown” and “transparent sham.”

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