Vol. 509 No. 4
109 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures, if any, agencies under the aegis of her Department have put in place to combat bullying in the workplace; if their health and safety statements include anti-bullying codes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20754/99]
The current situation with regard to anti-bullying measures adopted by the agencies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:
Forfas, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the NSAI have developed policies on anti-bullying measures which are currently being discussed with their unions. These will be included in their health and safety statements.
The HSA has also developed a policy which will be included in its health and safety statement. The HSA also participates on a task force, established by the Minister of State with responsibility for labour affairs, on the prevention of workplace bullying.
FÁS have developed a draft policy which will be adopted in the near future, and included in their safety declaration.
Shannon Development will be forming a policy distinct from its existing equal opportunities and sexual harassment policy, to include an anti-bullying code, which will be called "Respect and Dignity in the Workplace".
The Crafts Council of Ireland has commissioned National Industrial Fire and Safety Training to update their health and safety statement, which will include anti-bullying measures.
Bullying can take many different forms, and organisations need to be proactive in this area and not allow bullying activities to go unchecked. My Department acknowledges the need for organisations to create an environment which does not encourage or condone bullying.
The aforementioned Task Force on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying will seek to quantify the bullying problem, to develop practical programmes and prevention strategies and to provide appropriate responses from the State agencies. The group will report back in March next year.
