Anyone else getting deja vu reading the BBC workplace culture review?

Getting flashbacks to the 2013 Respect at Work review done by the same company Change Associates

Busy day in media with the publication of the BBC’s workplace culture review, Alex Mahon stepping down as Channel 4 CEO and reports that production powerhouse Banijay is eyeing up ITV.

None of the above are huge surprises but will keep everyone busy.

So what might get less coverage than normal is that the BBC’s workplace culture review, carried out by Change Associates, has echoes of one carried out in 2013 following the Jimmy Savile scandal - which was also carried out by…you guessed it Change Associates.

There are obviously some key differences but have a look for yourself to see what I mean.

Here’s today’s BBC workplace culture review:

And here’s the 2013 BBC Respect at Work review:

Today’s report talks about, “Launching a refreshed and strengthened Code of Conduct”, launching a “Resolving Concerns Helpline”, “Introducing in-person inductions for all new joiners” and “Training all managers on our updated Code of Conduct.”

2013’s report proposed: “Re-launch BBC values”, a “Confidential helpline”, “Creating a guide to the BBC for all new employees” and “Re-visit training and development for managers”.

The BBC today says the report from Change Associates “found no evidence of a toxic culture,” but “in a series of detailed findings and recommendations it highlighted key areas for improvement”. Change Associates also found “there were a minority of people at the BBC – both on and off-air - who were able to behave unacceptably without it being addressed” so the BBC will take “immediate action”.

Despite the constructive improvements suggested in the 2013 Respect at Work review and implemented by the BBC, the Huw Edwards scandal happened.

So undoubtedly it’s a good thing the corporation ordered another report and went back to Change Associates for their expert knowledge.

But it begs the question - when will things change (pun intended) and the day come when the BBC doesn’t have to ask Change Associates to carry out these kind of reviews?