Committee publication · Correspondence · 11 February 2026
Correspondence to and from S4C, relating to the evidence session on 14 January, dated 3 February and 6 February
From: Welsh Affairs Committee
Summary
The Welsh Affairs Committee wrote to S4C on 6 February 2026 requesting written answers on organisational culture, bullying prevention, HR transparency, and trust standards following oral evidence on 14 January. S4C Chair Delyth Evans responded on 3 February detailing the broadcaster's culture code, anti-bullying policies, grievance procedures, whistleblowing routes, board oversight, and reasoning for keeping HR policies internal while remaining open to future transparency.
Key findings
- S4C acknowledges industry-wide evidence that bullying is more prevalent in TV and film than other sectors, citing Bectu's Big Survey 2025 finding that over 60% of creative workers witnessed or experienced bullying, and noting structural risks from short-term contracts and freelance working.
- S4C has implemented a 'Cod Diwylliant' (Culture Code), Respect at Work Policy, Grievance Policy, and Whistleblowing Policy, with 95% staff familiarity as of autumn 2025 survey; Board receives regular reports from People and Culture Department.
- S4C extends anti-bullying protections to freelancers and production partners via a Sharing Concerns Policy and requires suppliers to meet CIISA standards.
- Trust and transparency are maintained through staff forums, pulse surveys, Board governance aligned with Nolan Principles, public annual reporting, and sector collaboration via TAC and engagement with government and Ofcom.
- S4C keeps HR policies internal, describing them as operational documents for a small organisation, but acknowledges the value of transparency and remains open to reviewing disclosure while protecting staff privacy.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Ruth Jones MP, Delyth Evans, Welsh Affairs Committee, S4C, Geraint Evans, Dyfrig Davies, BBC, Bectu, Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA)
Notable line
“Bullying and harassment are unacceptable in any context. For S4C, these findings reinforce the importance of remaining vigilant to cultural risks and contributing to sector-wide …”
Key Quotes
“Organisational culture is an important aspect of this and therefore I appreciate your response to the Committee's questions.”
“I recognise the concerns raised in the UK Government's Green Paper and agree that industry-wide evidence points to heightened risks of bullying and harassment in parts of the TV and film sector.”
“Bectu's Big Survey 2025 – one of the largest recent surveys of creative industries professionals – found that more than six in ten workers personally witnessed or experienced bullying or harassment in the workplace last year.”
“Everyone at S4C deserves a safe and respectful working environment. Our internal culture is guided by our 'Cod Diwylliant' (Culture Code) and core values, which define how we work.”
“… our most recent staff survey in autumn 2025 showed that 95% of S4C's employees are familiar with these policies.”
“We recognise the importance of transparency and remain open to reviewing our approach. S4C has shared HR policies where appropriate in the past, including with your Committee on request …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗