Macmillan Cancer Support has admitted that it has “fallen short both in culture and processes”, and apologised after an internal report uncovered incidents of racism and bullying at the charity. 

Staff described incidents such as a racial slur being used (and unchallenged) during an online meeting, and Muslim fundraisers visiting the charity being treated as a risk to security. 

The report, which was prepared by consultants from the Social Justice Collective, brought in by Macmillan management as part of the charity’s equity, diversity and inclusion strategy, said employees described “an organisational culture at Macmillan that is systemically racist and ableist”. 

Employees told consultants that complaints about mistreatment “were brushed under the carpet” and said that whistleblowers were treated as “vocal troublemakers”. 

The internal report said that “many staff reported acutely oppressive and painful experiences that had impacted and continue to impact on their mental health and wellbeing”. 

Steven McIntosh, executive director of advocacy and communications at Macmillan, said: “The report reveals a number of areas where Macmillan has fallen far short of the standards that colleagues have a right to expect. As a leadership team, we fully accept the findings of the report, and its recommendations. 

“There is no doubt that the findings of this review make for painful reading and we are profoundly sorry that anyone has ever suffered a distressing or harmful experience at Macmillan.” 

McIntosh thanked staff who had shared their experiences and said the charity was determined to “be a workplace where everyone feels they belong”. 

He said: “The findings of this report serve as a powerful and humbling demonstration of how much more we have to do in order to support our colleagues who identify as disabled and/or ethnically diverse, and we are determined to do so. 

“We know we have fallen short both in culture and processes, and we will urgently address this to ensure that everyone at Macmillan feels valued and safe as we continue to deliver on our mission to ensure that everyone can live well with cancer.” 

Macmillan declined to share the report externally, citing the fact that information had been shared with consultants in confidence. 

As a sector, we must ensure our most important resource, our staff, are treated fairly and with dignity and parity. Voscur runs regular courses on Being a Good Employer and Being a Good Board Member to help Bristol-based charities, social enterprises and community groups to ensure they are doing the very best to offer a compliant, effective, healthy and happy work environment. Find out more via the links above or contact us via email: info@voscur.org