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| RNLI staff surveys raise concerns about sexist behaviour | RNLI staff surveys raise concerns about sexist behaviour |
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| A number of workers at the RNLI have raised some concerns about sexist and bigoted behaviour at the organisation. | A number of workers at the RNLI have raised some concerns about sexist and bigoted behaviour at the organisation. |
| Internal surveys from 2021 and 2022 on the attitudes of staff and volunteers working at the UK lifeboat charity cite sexism and bullying. | |
| The documents, first reported by the Times, have been seen by the BBC. | The documents, first reported by the Times, have been seen by the BBC. |
| The RNLI told the BBC it was sorry to anyone who had faced "behaviours and actions that no one should have to tolerate" and "will act". | |
| The organisation, which has more than 30,000 staff and volunteers, had about 3,600 survey responses over two years, mostly positive comments. | The organisation, which has more than 30,000 staff and volunteers, had about 3,600 survey responses over two years, mostly positive comments. |
| But the survey results show concerns also included "blame" culture, misogyny, being overworked, and a lack of space to openly call out inappropriate behaviour. | But the survey results show concerns also included "blame" culture, misogyny, being overworked, and a lack of space to openly call out inappropriate behaviour. |
| In the 2022 survey, one female respondent recounts being "repeatedly" called sexist terms by male colleagues. | In the 2022 survey, one female respondent recounts being "repeatedly" called sexist terms by male colleagues. |
| "I have not once felt like the RNLI supports women or minorities," she said, adding that she would not recommend it "as an employer to anybody". | "I have not once felt like the RNLI supports women or minorities," she said, adding that she would not recommend it "as an employer to anybody". |
| A comment in the previous year's survey described the level of sexism at RNLI stations and around the coast as "abhorrent". | A comment in the previous year's survey described the level of sexism at RNLI stations and around the coast as "abhorrent". |
| "I have never been at a station/around a branch and not heard an inappropriate comment or joke regarding race, sex or sexual orientation". | "I have never been at a station/around a branch and not heard an inappropriate comment or joke regarding race, sex or sexual orientation". |
| Matters reported to senior members were "not dealt with effectively and timely," the person said, leading to some individuals getting away with "disgraceful behaviour". | Matters reported to senior members were "not dealt with effectively and timely," the person said, leading to some individuals getting away with "disgraceful behaviour". |
| A respondent to the 2022 survey said their mental health has been affected by many factors, including a lack of holding people to account, being overworked and "awful misogyny". | A respondent to the 2022 survey said their mental health has been affected by many factors, including a lack of holding people to account, being overworked and "awful misogyny". |
| Bullying was mentioned in a number of survey responses. There were no specific examples given but a respondent to the 2022 poll talked about experiencing a "culture of bullying and harassment". | Bullying was mentioned in a number of survey responses. There were no specific examples given but a respondent to the 2022 poll talked about experiencing a "culture of bullying and harassment". |
| But colleagues were praised for being "caring" by many survey respondents, and one comment says the RNLI is "very inclusive of everyone and the relationships in the team make it a great place to work". | But colleagues were praised for being "caring" by many survey respondents, and one comment says the RNLI is "very inclusive of everyone and the relationships in the team make it a great place to work". |
| The RNLI's Code of Conduct says volunteers must not "participate in any form of inappropriate behaviour or activity", including bullying, harassment or unlawful discrimination. | The RNLI's Code of Conduct says volunteers must not "participate in any form of inappropriate behaviour or activity", including bullying, harassment or unlawful discrimination. |
| Sue Barnes, RNLI's People Director, said: "We are sorry to our volunteers and staff who have faced behaviours and actions that no one should have to tolerate. | Sue Barnes, RNLI's People Director, said: "We are sorry to our volunteers and staff who have faced behaviours and actions that no one should have to tolerate. |
| "There is no place for misogynistic, sexist, and non-inclusive behaviours at the RNLI and we are committed to taking action and tackling such behaviour." | "There is no place for misogynistic, sexist, and non-inclusive behaviours at the RNLI and we are committed to taking action and tackling such behaviour." |
| She added that it has a "range of methods" members can use to report unacceptable behaviour, including a whistleblowing reporting line. | She added that it has a "range of methods" members can use to report unacceptable behaviour, including a whistleblowing reporting line. |
| "We know we have more work to do to ensure we become the truly inclusive lifesaving charity we strive to be," she said. | "We know we have more work to do to ensure we become the truly inclusive lifesaving charity we strive to be," she said. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| RNLI | RNLI |
| Sexism | Sexism |
| Charities | Charities |
| Employment | Employment |