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The crisis-hit Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has signed a legal agreement with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in a bid to tackle a “toxic” workplace culture.
An independent review last year found that sexism, racism and homophobia were not sufficiently tackled within the union and that employees were not protected against discrimination and harassment.
Meanwhile, the WRU recently apologized for its handling of the senior women’s team recruitment process, after admitting there had been serious failings.
Over the past 18 months, both men and women have threatened to strike. Ioan Cunningham quit as head coach of the women’s team earlier in November, while his men’s counterpart Warren Gatland is under pressure after overseeing a winless year.
The review, commissioned in February 2023, made 36 recommendations after finding evidence of bullying and “over-reliance” on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
“Everyone has the right to a workplace where they are free from discrimination and harassment,” said Baroness Kishwer Falkner, President of the EHRC. “Employers have a responsibility to ensure their policies and practices protect their employees and create a work culture where staff can thrive without fear.
“As the governing body of Wales’ national sport, the Welsh public rightly expect the highest standards from the WRU. This legal agreement is an important step in the WRU rebuilding the confidence of its staff and the nation as a whole, and we are pleased that the WRU has already begun to make progress in the required actions.
Under the terms of the agreement, the WRU committed to:
- introduce mandatory equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) training for all employees, board members, management and senior management
- introduce mandatory training on harassment and handling sexual harassment complaints for personnel managers
- work with an external advisor to review and modify company workplace policies, including a specific sexual harassment policy
- introduce a standardized system for recording and monitoring complaints of discrimination and harassment
- review the use of NDAs
- implement all outstanding recommendations from the independent review
The agreement comes at a time of renewed scrutiny of the Welsh rugby hierarchy.
The ‘One Wales’ strategy designed to give sport in the country a definitive five-year plan has been delayed as the WRU negotiates a new financial deal with the four regions.
Chairman Richard Collier-Keywood, in post since July 2023, and chief executive Abi Tierney, who took up the role at the start of this year, are committed to seeing the change through to the end.
“We both think it’s a privilege to play these roles,” Collier-Keywood told the BBC. “One of the reasons the committee chose me, and me and others chose Abi, is because we are both resilient people.
“We never thought it would be easy. We are determined to see it through to the end. »
