The BBC’s investigation into the “abuse of power” following the Huw Edwards scandal will examine how quickly bosses investigate allegations after accusations that complaints are “ignored”.
Executives commissioned a review of the workplace culture at the corporation following staff concerns that complaints about “talent” such as Edwards were routinely frustrated by a “useless” HR system.
The review will look into how the BBC can ensure that instances of inappropriate behaviour and the “abuse of power” will be tackled “as soon as they are identified”.
Some insiders have described the complaints system at the BBC as “incredibly stressful”, while another said that HR often acted “like a union” for senior figures.
A review of internal procedures will now be carried out by management consultancy Change Associates, the same company that in 2013 looked into how the corporation’s workplace culture allowed Jimmy Savile to operate unreported for decades.
The BBC Board’s terms of reference for the review state that “there is also the potential for individuals with power from a significant public profile, leadership role, or star status to abuse their position”.
To ensure a “zero-tolerance approach”, experts will look into how the corporation 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”.
The review will also look at how the BBC can ensure “people feel confident to speak up” and that managers “act decisively” on complaints.
The work comes after staff outrage over the Edwards scandal, which revealed discontent over internal HR processes at the publicly funded broadcaster.
Several whistleblowers made complaints about Edwards’s non-criminal workplace behaviour before he was suspended in May 2023 for paying a young man for explicit images.
The whistleblower raised concerns that no action had been taken on the basis of their complaints.
Other insiders claimed that concerns about star “talent” or more senior BBC figures are routinely frustrated, giving the impression that “some staff are worth more than others”.
In the wake of Edwards’s admission of guilt for the posies of incident images of children, ouraged staff spoke out about the failures of the BBC’s complaints system.
One insider said that “small fry” employees “didn’t matter” compared to the high-profile “big fry”.
They added: “The BBC has a long history of not taking ordinary staff seriously when they put their hands up and say something inappropriate or just plain wrong has happened.”
Following the appointment of Change Associates to look into internal issues, the BBC’s Board set out that it was “determined that management retain a relentless focus on getting this right, both to protect our workplace and the BBC’s reputation”.
Samir Shah, BBC chairman, 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.”