The BBC has confirmed the appointment of Change Associates to carry out an independent review of its workplace culture, led by Executive Chairman and Founder, Grahame Russell.

The review will have a particular focus on “preventing abuse of power and ensuring everyone at the BBC conducts themselves in line with our Values.”

Change Associates also led the work on the BBC’s 2013 Respect at Work Review. They will assess progress made on those recommendations and will also look at work done in other reviews. The final report will make “clear recommendations on practical steps to further strengthen workplace culture.”

The review will focus on whether there are further practical steps the BBC can take to “ensure everyone at the BBC understands and commits to our Values and Code of Conduct”; how the BBC can ensure the consequences of inappropriate behaviour and abuse of power are understood by everyone and that “significant issues are dealt with as soon as they are identified and in a consistent manner”; and whether there is more the corporation can do to “ensure people feel confident to speak up and for managers and leaders to act decisively” and what the BBC can do, when issues or complaints are raised, to make it clearer how the processes will work and what information will be shared.

Announcing the start of the review in an email to staff, BBC Chair Samir Shah said: “I cannot emphasise enough that I am fully committed to tackling inappropriate or abusive behaviour.

“For most of us it is a joy to work for the BBC and that should be the case for everyone. Nobody working in the BBC should ever feel fear or worry while working here.

“What is clear to me is that we must ensure the BBC is a safe, secure and welcoming workplace for everyone.”

The BBC will publish the report in the spring of next year.

Jon Creamer

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