BP has updated its workplace guidelines to stipulate that senior executives must report any personal relationships with colleagues from the past three years to avoid potential disciplinary action. The company highlighted these stricter policies in the wake of former chief executive Bernard Looney’s dismissal in December for grave misconduct, due to his failure to be wholly honest about past relationships in the workplace. Looney’s departure created a shockwave through the longstanding British energy business, leading to investigations into his office relationships and prompting a reform of company culture.
Reports by the Financial Times indicated that allegations leading to Looney’s resignation included charges of promoting women he’d had previous undisclosed relationships with. The policy change signals a radical shift for BP from their old stance where staff were only obliged to disclose and document relationships if they sensed a potential conflict of interest. However, starting from June 1st, staff must reveal all personal relationships at the workplace, regardless of a perceived conflict of interest.
This disclosure order also extends to higher-ranking employees, approximately 4,500 executives, who must report any personal relationships that have happened at work during the past three years. This is reflective of “the influence that leaders have”, as per the BP statement. These disclosures need to be completed by early September.
The first investigation into previous relationships of Looney with coworkers was carried out in 2022, leading to Looney admitting to some relationships and assuring the board he has no more to reveal. However, additional allegations emerged last year, leading to Looney confessing that he had been less than fully honest. The significant policy adjustment, initially disclosed by Reuters, marks the most significant overhaul in BP’s workplace norms since Looney’s exit.
BP undertook an examination of the claims made against Mr Looney, with assistance from an outside legal expert. However, the results of this investigation have not been disclosed. In a confidential note to employees last year, BP stated that in order to safeguard those implicated, they would not provide specifics of the investigation. Instead, they would apply the “themes and lessons” learned in a fitting manner.
The oil giant confirmed on Monday that the conflict of interest policy, last modified in 2018, was due for an evaluation this year, coming after a wider update to its code of conduct in January 2023.
BP mentioned that the update included “benchmarking against similar enterprises and institutions and the examination of best industry practices”. These modifications aligned the guidelines on intimate workplace relationships with those concerning family relationships.
BP further declared that any violation of this policy, which is included in its code of conduct, could lead to disciplinary action. The Financial Times Limited holds the copyright for 2024.