Bectu responds to publication of the BBC’s Workplace Culture Review

The BBC has today published the Workplace Culture Review following historic and repeated scandals involving senior talent at the BBC.

Head of Bectu Philippa Childs said:

“We welcome the BBC Board’s full acceptance of all recommendations in the Workplace Culture Review.

“Repeated and historical scandals involving senior talent at the BBC exposed an organisation in need of a full rethink of its culture, and Bectu has been clear that a watershed moment was necessary for the BBC to drive meaningful change on this issue.

“We hope this report serves as that moment. The commitment to draw a line in the sand must not be an empty promise. BBC staff and freelancers, and the wider public, need demonstrable evidence that the BBC is fully committed to improving how it handles reports of inappropriate behaviour, and we will be holding the BBC to account to ensure if follows through on implementing the report’s recommendations.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected at work, and it’s paramount that the workforce feels their voice has been heard. We thank everyone who spoke to the review team about their experiences of working at the BBC. Their feedback will prove vital to creating an organisation where everyone feels confident to report bad behaviour, and that when they do proportionate action is taken.

“As the BBC has acknowledged, this is also an important moment for the wider industry. Our research from May last year showed that high-profile cases have done little to shift the dial on the industry’s bullying and harassment problem.

“We therefore particularly welcome the requirement for all BBC production partners to meet the CIISA industry guidelines, and would urge other broadcasters to follow suit to ensure that standards of behaviour improve across the industry.”