Independent Report Finds S4C CEO Created “Culture of Fear” Leading to Her Dismissal
An independent review into allegations of bullying and bad behaviour by former S4C chief executive Sian Doyle has found that she created “a culture of fear” at the Welsh-language broadcaster. Ms Doyle has denied the accusations, which led to her dismissal. Testimony from 29 witnesses, including ten who broke down in tears, as well as documentary evidence, supported the accusations against Doyle, according to the law firm responsible for the report. The review was initiated after a letter from the union BECTU.
Participants detailed consistent levels of alleged abusive and bad language from the CEO, who some accused of creating an atmosphere of anxiety and insecurity. Doyle was said to have disparaged colleagues and S4C presenters. According to one employee, the chief executive had “put me in a very nasty position” and negatively impacted their mental health. Complaints included alleged threats to dismiss 50 staff she deemed “not worth worrying about”.
While 12 witnesses expressed approval of Doyle’s behaviour, the report cited a lack of evidence for positive behaviour to undermine the serious allegations made against her. In a statement, S4C said that it would like to apologise “to those who have had to tolerate unacceptable behaviours in the workplace” and that there was “considerable work to do to fully address all of the issues raised”. No recommendations are made in the report, which was delivered by the law firm Capital independently of S4C and without the CEO being offered a right to reply.
The law firm’s report also names former S4C chief content officer Llinos Griffin-Williams, who was sacked last year. An entire chapter of the report is devoted to her case. Griffin-Willliams denies allegations that she took responsibility from commissioners at S4C and says she was not given notice of the publication of this report by S4C or a chance to respond.
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