BBC staff urged to report bullying in wake of Jimmy Savile scandal

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/oct/26/bbc-staff-report-bullying-jimmy-savile

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BBC staff are being asked come forward with incidents of "bullying, harassment and intimidation" to be handed to the review of alleged harassment at the corporation launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

Past and present employees of the corporation are being asked to contact the National Union of Journalists by 2 November for a submission to Dinah Rose QC, who is helping the BBC look at the processing of harassment claims from the present and the past.

The NUJ is collating the accounts after discussions with BBC management.

NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said in a letter to BBC members: "We will put forward evidence to the Rose inquiry on all cases of bullying and harassment members bring to us.

"BBC management is keen for the joint unions at the corporation to play a full part in the investigations. They want the inquiries emanating from the Savile investigations to be as open and inclusive as possible, engaging with past and present BBC staff and freelances."

Stanistreet said that if people were concerned about the effect whistleblowing might have on their career, they could come forward in confidence and their testimony could be put forward anonymously.

She went on: "In a letter to the NUJ, Lucy Adams, [BBC] HR Director, made clear the commitment of the BBC to tackling this issue, stressing the corporation's willingness to reviewing and, if necessary, changing policies on bullying and harassment". She added: "We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are keen to ensure that all of our staff are able to work in an environment free from harassment and intimidation of any sort.

"Bullying, harassment and sexism has no place in our public service broadcaster. You can help by coming forward and sharing your own experience, and your thoughts on how procedures and the working culture can be improved at the BBC."

One former BBC producer said: "This could open the floodgates."

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