The dismissal of Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson over an altercation with a BBC producer offers a valuable lesson in getting human resource policy right according to HR provider High Performance Consultancy.
Victoria Brown, managing director of the Liverpool-based firm said that the BBC demonstrated good practice with the swift discharge of Clarkson in light of the incident. She believes they conducted an efficient fact-finding process and executing decisive action based on their findings.
Victoria Brown says:
“Despite overwhelming public and commercial pressure, those investigating the incident found that Jeremy Clarkson’s behaviour was worthy of ending his relationship with the BBC. Investigators disregarded commercial considerations and treated the incident, and the parties involved, with the respect and dignity they deserved.”
Brown suggests others could learn from this example. She continues:
“It serves to demonstrate how important it is to get HR policy right. The easy decision would have been to reinstate the presenter, but what effect would that have on the victim of the alleged assault? How would that impact the working environment for other producers in the BBC? The Corporation has shown good leadership and robust process in order to reach this decision and firms of all sizes can learn from this. Standards of acceptable employee and employer behaviour and a clear understanding of the stages of reporting, investigation and consequences should either party fall short of those is critical for any business to deal with disciplinary matters, whether a national institution like the BBC or a growing SME.”
Amie Filcher is an editorial assistant at HRreview.