Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Publish bullying/harassment prevalence, staff survey results, and reporting effectiveness metrics in NDA Annual Report.
Recommendation
The NDA and Sellafield Ltd still have more to do to build a culture where all employees feel able to raise concerns and report poor behaviour. The exceptionally hazardous nature of many of Sellafield’s activities means that it is imperative that all employees and contractors on the site feel able to raise any concerns that they have without fear of consequences. While the witnesses told us that they felt the site’s reporting culture was good, we remain to be convinced, since there are other indications of a sub–optimal culture. This Committee and its predecessors have received a number of letters from whistleblowers in recent years making concerning allegations, and we are aware that the NDA paid £377,200 in 2023–24 to settle employment–related claims. It is good that the Department, NDA and Sellafield Ltd recognise the need to do more to improve the site culture, and we acknowledge the improvement in staff survey results over recent years. However, it is concerning that the Department and the NDA did not identify the need to take action earlier–particularly in light of Sellafield Ltd’s chief executive’s observation that there was a disconnect between Sellafield’s workforce and leadership when he took over in July 2023. 6 recommendation The NDA should publish information in its Annual Report about: • the prevalence and perception of bullying and harassment broken down by site and demographic groups, accompanied by suitable benchmarking; • other staff survey results which it believes are particularly important in assessing the health of its corporate culture; and • metrics to measure the effectiveness of its various reporting mechanisms including safety reporting. 7 1 Addressing the most significant hazards Introduction
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that the NDA will publish an annual "People" report containing staff survey results, Speak Up data, and other cultural health metrics. The report will consider breaking down results by Operating Company and demographics, guided by confidentiality, and will include relevant safety reporting data.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. where people can thrive. It has taken decisive steps to foster an open and respectful culture including strengthening the Speak Up policy (which includes whistleblowing). Improvements are reflected in recent staff survey results. Although the NDA is encouraged by this progress, it remains vigilant and continues working to ensure all employees feel respected and confident in raising concerns, and that these are addressed appropriately. While the publication of staff survey results without appropriate context can lead to misinterpretation, the NDA is keen to provide a more contextualised view of cultural progress. As such, the NDA will publish an annual “People” report containing information about staff survey results (including scores, narrative, trends), Speak Up data (including rates of reporting, types of matter raised, outcomes), and other matters which help assess the health of its corporate culture. Its approach to breaking down results by Operating Company and demographic will, of course, need to be guided by confidentiality of individuals, following best practice. It will consider potential inclusion of appropriate benchmarking. Nuclear safety is paramount, and rigorous standards are upheld to protect the workforce, the public, and the environment. The NDA is confident in the strength of internal safety metrics and reporting mechanisms which are underpinned by independent assurance from regulators. Regular group wide reviews of safety culture are carried out using verified external methodologies to test workforce attitudes and beliefs around reporting of events. The NDA will include relevant data in the “People” report.