Manager Training Shouldn’t Be an Afterthought: Lessons from the BBC Workplace Culture Review

Why Behavioural and Ethical Issues Can’t Be Left to Chance

The recently published BBC Workplace Culture Review has brought into sharp focus something many HR professionals, managers, and internal investigators have known for a long time. We are expecting people to handle complex behavioural and cultural issues without giving them the training or support to do it well.

The report highlights several related concerns:

• HR teams are under-resourced

• Managers feel out of their depth

• Senior leaders aren’t always confident about when or how to step in

Despite this, organisations continue to rely on these same individuals to hold the line on conduct, culture, and complaints.

That’s not a resilience strategy. That’s a risk.

The Gaps Behind the Headlines

In our work at EthicsVision, we often come across teams who are doing their best. But they haven’t been given the tools to succeed. We’ve seen:

• Managers unsure how to spot the early warning signs of poor behaviour

• HR professionals expected to guide investigations without any formal training

• Senior leaders unclear on when to escalate or when to step back

• Inconsistencies in how concerns are handled, reported, and resolved

The consequences are familiar: delays, missed opportunities, and the slow erosion of trust.

Why Training Matters

Training doesn’t just help people understand policy. It gives them the confidence to apply it when things are difficult.

Good training enables managers and HR teams to:

• Recognise and respond to early concerns

• Navigate informal and formal processes with clarity

• Ask the right questions and take appropriate notes

• Create consistency in how behavioural issues are addressed

• Reinforce a speak-up culture without fear or favour

When people are equipped to act, small issues are less likely to become organisational problems.

Investing in the Right People

If your organisation wants to build a strong and ethical culture, start by supporting the people responsible for upholding it. That includes:

• Providing targeted training on misconduct, investigations, and workplace behaviour

• Clarifying roles and responsibilities across HR, line management, and senior leadership

• Giving teams access to practical tools and expert guidance

• Offering refreshers and updates as case law, policies, and expectations evolve

This isn’t just a safeguard; it also signals that ethics, accountability, and fairness are genuinely valued.

Read the BBC Workplace Culture Review

You can access the full BBC report here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/aboutthebbc/reports/workplace-culture-review

How EthicsVision Can Help

At EthicsVision, we work with organisations across sectors to deliver tailored, practical training for managers, HR teams, and senior leaders. Our goal is to give people the clarity and confidence to respond to concerns early, fairly, and professionally.

📩 Contact us to explore how we can support your team with training, strategy, or investigation support.