BBC cleared, but needs to reevaluate equal pay policies

An investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into historical issues of equal pay at the BBC has found no unlawful acts of pay discrimination and has recommended improvements to increase transparency and rebuild trust with women at the organisation.

The investigation started in March 2019 following publicly reported high profile cases of suspected pay discrimination and after extensive discussions with the BBC. It looked at suspected historical pay discrimination at the BBC and the systems and processes for setting pay and assessing complaints.

Evidence considered during the investigation came from women at the BBC about their experiences, and from the BBC on its processes for setting pay and resolving grievances. We also carried out detailed equal pay analyses on a sample of pay complaints.

Journalist, writer and broadcaster Samira Ahmed arrives at the Central London Employment Tribunal, Victory House, London, where she taking the BBC to an employment tribunal over an unequal pay claim. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday November 4, 2019. See PA story TRIBUNAL BBC . Photo credit should read: Yui Mok/PA Wire

The report has identified a number of areas where improvements can be made to rebuild trust with women at the organisation and increase transparency around decision-making and communications. The BBC accepts that its historical practices were not fit for purpose and has made significant changes since 2015.