BBC staff allegedly subjected to unbearable working conditions by influential figures, claims chairman
The BBC's latest workplace culture review has shed light on some shocking revelations, as well as providing actionable recommendations to tackle the issue. The review, conducted by Change Associates, revealed a minority of individuals at the corporation, both on and off screen, exhibiting unacceptable behavior that creates a negative impact.
These individuals, described as "powerful," are scattered across various departments and functions within the BBC, and often hold positions where power can be abused. The report found no evidence of a toxic culture permeating the entire corporation, but did highlight concerns from some staff about a minority who go unchecked in their bad behavior.
Examples of poor conduct include an "untouchable" presenter using exceptionally inappropriate language in front of colleagues, with no immediate consequence. In another instance, a senior manager failed to take action in a similar situation, choosing to defer instead of rocking the boat.
The report also pointed to a power imbalance between talent and crew, as well as a tendency to treat high-profile presenters with kid gloves, which may lead to the expectation of special treatment over time. This, in turn, can create an environment where some individuals feel they can behave badly.
Some of these problematic individuals are seen as indispensable to the organization, and moving issues to formal grievance without appropriate due diligence can unintentionally tolerate the problem. Additionally, keeping those who raise concerns in the dark about the progress and outcomes of their reports can unfairly punish them.
The BBC has accepted the report's findings and implemented several measures to address the issues raised, including strengthening the Code of Conduct, improving disciplinary processes, and creating a "Call It Out" campaign to promote positive behavior. Training programs for managers, a 24/7 support helpline, and transparent culture monitoring systems are also being introduced. Succession planning for top roles will be revamped to reduce power concentration.
These changes are aimed at fostering a culture where the BBC's values are lived and championed daily by everyone. The organization understands the importance of this effort in maintaining trust and reputation in the industry. The review has been an important moment for the BBC and the wider industry, as it encourages greater accountability and transparency in the workplace.
[1] BBC News. (2022, March 30). BBC to halve board overhaul after damning workplace culture report. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-60832761
[2] The Guardian. (2022, March 30). BBC reveals 'deeply embedded' bullying and sexism in workplace culture report. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2022/mar/30/bbc-reveals-deeply-embedded-bullying-and-sexism-in-workplace-culture-report
[3] BBC. (2022, March 30). BBC accepts findings of major workplace culture review and announces immediate action. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2022/bbc-culture-review-accepts-findings-report-acceptance
- The BBC faces a scandal with the uncovering of unacceptable behavior among some powerful individuals in the corporation, as revealed by the Change Associates workplace culture review.
- The report exposed examples of poor conduct, such as an "untouchable" presenter using inappropriate language without immediate consequences, and instances where senior managers failed to take action against bad behavior, choosing instead to defer rather than rock the boat.
- The power imbalance between talent and crew, and the tendency to treat high-profile presenters with kid gloves, can create an environment where certain individuals feel they can behave badly without punishment.
- The BBC has accepted the report's findings and is implementing measures to address the issues, such as strengthening the Code of Conduct, improving disciplinary processes, creating a "Call It Out" campaign, and introducing training programs for managers, a 24/7 support helpline, and transparent culture monitoring systems.
- The goal is to foster a culture where the BBC's values are lived and championed daily by everyone, to maintain trust and reputation in the industry, encourage greater accountability and transparency in the workplace, and serve as an important moment for both the BBC and the wider industry.
