BBC takes immediate action to improve workplace culture after independent report findings

The BBC has announced immediate steps to improve its workplace culture following an independent review.

The report, commissioned by the BBC Board in August 2024, involved input from around 2,500 employees and freelancers.

It found that while most employees are proud to work for the BBC, a small minority of individuals were behaving unacceptably, which negatively impacted the BBC’s culture and reputation.

The review, conducted by Change Associates, made several recommendations to address these issues, including resetting behavioural expectations and promoting a ‘Call It Out’ culture.

The BBC has committed to launching a refreshed Code of Conduct, introducing a more robust disciplinary policy, and implementing a new “Call It Out” campaign to encourage positive behaviour.

The BBC will also update contracts to set clear expectations for behaviour, provide additional support through a new helpline, and train managers to lead discussions on culture and behaviour.

Director-General Tim Davie said: “This report represents an important moment for the BBC and the wider industry. It provides clear, practical recommendations that we are committed to implementing at pace. I’m grateful to everyone who took part and contributed.

“The action we are taking today is designed to change the experience of what it is to be at the BBC for everyone and to ensure the values we all sign up to when we arrive here – the values that, for most of us, are what made us want to come to the BBC in the first place – are lived and championed by the whole organisation each and every day.”

The changes are part of a broader effort to ensure the BBC’s values are reflected across the organisation.

The National Union of Journalists says it welcomes the publication. The union will now scrutinise it closely and speak to NUJ members at the BBC to seek their views on the recommendations and findings.

Paul Siegert, NUJ national broadcasting organiser, said: “It’s vitally important that the country’s largest public service broadcaster is a safe place to work and people can not only thrive and be creative, but feel able to call out bad behaviour, whether it be bullying, sexual harassment or an abuse of power. Previously, on too many occasions, senior managers have turned a blind eye to inappropriate behaviour.

“The six recommendations drawn up by Change Associates are just a start. We of course welcome the call to reset BBC values. But too often in the past, power imbalances have affected decision making and that must not be allowed to continue.

“Everyone, regardless of their role, must be treated the same and must be made to feel that they can report bad behaviour when they see or hear it. We welcome the BBC’s commitment to hold everyone to account and we will do all we can to hold the BBC to account.”