Decision details

The report was outlined by the Strategic Lead for Democratic and Business Support.

The council had a Bullying and Harassment Policy in place, however due to updates in legislation, changes to the ACAS definition and incorporating best practice a review was required to provide employees with the most up to date information.

The council recognised the importance of providing staff and managers with accurate information and guidance when navigating through the bullying and harassment legislation and requirements and had therefore fully reviewed the policy and proposed implementing a new updated policy.

The policy applied to all staff including employees, contractors, casual and agency staff and volunteers of the organisation for matters relating to issues of bullying or harassment and directs staff to resolve matters through an informal as well as a formal process.

The policy covered all situations both within the workplace and in any work related setting outside the workplace, including for example, business trips, conferences and work-related social events.

The old policy had been reviewed and, rather than making amendments, a new policy had been written to ensure a robust policy and procedure was in place for the council, its staff and managers.

Feedback has been sought on the policy and it had been considered by the Joint Staff Consultative Committee and was fully supported by Members, Unison and Staff Representatives.  Some amendments were made following a request from Unison at JSCC and this has been incorporated into the proposed policy for the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee.

The policy would be made available to view on the Minerva site and hard copies available at the depots once formally agreed, and a clear communication would be sent to Managers to make them aware that the policy had been reviewed and to update them on their responsibilities, and training had already been rolled out to managers to raise awareness of their responsibilities with regard to this matter.

An e-learning awareness module would be rolled out to all staff.

The report was moved and seconded without discussion and on being voted upon it was:

RESOLVED  that:

a)    the Bullying and Harassment Policy be approved and the policy be adopted for all employees of the council; and

b)    delegated authority be granted to the Director of Resources to make minor housekeeping amendments to the policy in future, in consultation with the chairmen of the Corporate Policy and Resources committee and Joint Staff Consultative Committee.