Busy line

BBC house organ Ariel says the new independent bullying hotline has gone "live" at the BBC. The service, known in the trade as an "Employee Assistance Programme" is provided by Care first, ("delivering relevant solutions that make a difference") who also have contracts with Network Rail and Stagecoach.

Ariel also notes that 30 cases of alleged bullying are currently being investigated. It's time-consuming stuff, and the results are not always clear. The DG told MPs this week that one employee has left the organisation following an investigation into harassment - but will we ever know their name, and departure details ?  In at least one case in the past year, I am assured, a compromise agreement (i.e. a pay-off) was required to deliver the exit. And Lord Hall has made it clear that m'learned friends are involved in disentangling DMI, which suggests issues are being contested, probably expensively.