BBC bosses must do better, review finds – but claims broadcaster ‘does not have toxic culture’
The BBC is set to publish the results of a major workplace culture review today – which concludes that while the corporation “does not have a toxic culture”, its leadership needs to improve how it handles misconduct cases.
An independent report was commissioned by the BBC board in October following several damaging scandals, most notably when former presenter Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to making child abuse images.
The review by consultancy firm Change Associates will recommend improvements in how the BBC tackles inappropriate behaviour.
Over 2,000 staff provided feedback during the investigation.
It recommends the BBC should intervene more quickly in misconduct cases, take swifter action when problems arise, and set clearer rules for workers.
The BBC’s board is expected to accept all the recommendations in full.
Staff will be shown the findings at Broadcasting House this morning in a meeting led by BBC chairman Samir Shah and director-general Tim Davie.
Davie is expected to outline a comprehensive reform package addressing the key recommendations – described as the “biggest set of cultural changes the BBC has ever delivered”.
This will include resetting expectations around behaviour and conduct, a new “case management system”, better training, and new mechanisms for staff to raise concerns.
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Some measures will be put in place immediately.
The BBC has already spent over £1.3million investigating the Edwards scandal, with costs expected to rise following the completion of the workplace culture review – announced in August last year when the corporation was reeling from the veteran broadcaster’s guilty plea.
Since then, the corporation has faced several controversies related to inappropriate behaviour.
In November, Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace left the programme after accusations of making sexist comments and harassing behaviour.
Then in February, the BBC board apologised for “missed opportunities” in addressing bullying by former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood.
Earlier this month, reports emerged that BBC Breakfast presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt were allegedly at odds with the programme’s editor in a “bullying” row.
BBC bosses have been candid about the need for change in handling high-profile misconduct.
Shah previously said that those who “have had the courage to complain are left dangling” and warned of a perception that “powerful people ‘get away with it'”.
He has also called for real change rather than “yet another little proposal”, appearing to criticise the impact of the 2013 Respect at Work review conducted after the Jimmy Savile scandal.