By Lucy Caulkett-
The chief executive of ITV, has been called to give evidence in parliament about the broadcaster’s approach to safeguarding and handling complaints, following Phillip Schofield’s departure.
Dame Carolyn McCall (pictured)has been asked by the culture, media and sport committee (CMS) to answer questions on Wednesday 14 June.
It comes after ITV announced it had launched an external review to establish the facts around the reports of a relationship between presenter Schofield and a younger employee on This Morning.
The committee is already set to question ITV group director of strategy, policy and regulation Magnus Brooke, alongside executives from Channel 4 and Channel 5, about the draft Media Bill, in a separate session on Tuesday next week.
Schofield last week admitted to an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger male colleague and stepped down from his roles with ITV. He was also dropped by talent agency YMU
ITV later announced it had instructed a barrister to carry out an external review of the situation in a letter to Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer, CMS committee chair Dame Caroline Dinenage, and Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes.
In a written response, Dame Caroline said the media industry’s “duty of care towards its staff” was “a matter of the highest importance”.
She continued: “Whilst the recent coverage focuses on the Schofield case, it also raises fundamental issues about safeguarding and complaint handling both at ITV and more widely across the media.
“These issues should, particularly in the case of public service broadcasters, be open to scrutiny. The public must have confidence in the robustness of public service broadcasters’ safeguarding procedures.
“Whilst these are issues that we want to discuss first with ITV, we will also consider them in our regular scrutiny sessions with other public service broadcasters, including the BBC later this month and Channel 4 later in the year.”.
Schofield originally said he was leaving This Morning after more than two decades following a rift between him and co-presenter Holly Willoughby.
Revelation of the rift came after Schofield’s brother was jailed for 12 years over child sex offences, though
At the time of this first announcement, ITV described Schofield as “hands down one of the best broadcasters of his generation” and said they would continue to work with him on other projects, including the soap awards.
However, he was dropped entirely when details of the affair emerged the following week
Sexual Relationships In The Workplace
Sexual relationships in the workplace can present complex ethical and legal challenges, particularly concerning safeguarding issues. These relationships raise concerns related to power dynamics, consent, conflicts of interest, and the overall well-being of individuals involved.
Imbalance of Power
Sexual relationships in the workplace often involve a power differential, such as a supervisor-subordinate or employer-employee dynamic. This power imbalance can create an environment where consent may be compromised or coerced, leading to potential exploitation or harassment.
Consent and Voluntariness: It is crucial to ensure that any sexual relationship in the workplace is based on informed consent and is entirely voluntary. Power dynamics can influence an individual’s ability to freely give consent, making it essential for organizations to establish clear policies regarding relationships and consent.
Conflicts of Interest:
Favouritism and Bias: When individuals engage in sexual relationships within a professional setting, conflicts of interest can arise.
Favouritism, biased decision-making, or perceived preferential treatment may occur, undermining fairness, transparency, and equal opportunities for all employees.
The presence of a romantic or sexual relationship between colleagues can affect team dynamics, collaboration, and the overall work environment. It can lead to the perception of unfair advantage, divisions among co-workers, and a decrease in overall productivity and morale.
Safeguarding Employee Well-being
Emotional and Psychological Impact: Sexual relationships within the workplace can have significant emotional and psychological effects on individuals involved, as well as on colleagues who may be aware of the relationship. Negative consequences may include stress, anxiety, jealousy, or feelings of discomfort, which can impair overall well-being and workplace cohesion.
Potential for Harassment or Exploitation: In situations where a power imbalance exists, such as relationships between superiors and subordinates, there is an increased risk of harassment or exploitation. Employees may feel pressured to engage in or continue a relationship to preserve their job