Press statement: Protect responds to the publication of the BBC Workplace Culture Review

“We welcome this comprehensive review of workplace culture at the BBC and the proposed actions to improve whistleblowing systems.

Effective whistleblowing is essential in making sure staff can speak up with the confidence wrongdoing will be addressed.

As an industry that relies on freelancers and short-term contracts, protections are needed to ensure everyone feels safe and respected at work. It is concerning this review shows that junior employees, freelancers and those on short-term contracts are much less likely to speak up than permanent BBC staff due to their precarious employment status.

Sadly, it is far too common that employers shoot the messenger rather than support their staff when they speak up about wrongdoing. Last year more than two thirds of callers to our whistleblowing advice line faced victimisation or felt forced to resign after blowing the whistle.

Training is needed to make sure all staff understand how to raise whistleblowing concerns and that managers know what to do when staff come to them about an issue.

BBC staff and freelancers need clear and uncomplicated ways to raise concerns with the confidence they will not be penalised or mistreated for doing so.”