Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 4

Written Answers. - Bullying and Harassment Policy.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

108 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if the Civil Service policy on bullying and harassment has been implemented; if so, the degree to which it is implemented; if it applies to agencies under the aegis of Government Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21325/00]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy)

The anti-bullying and harassment policy for the Civil Service has been drawn up and is being implemented.

The document A Positive Working Environment presents the anti-harassment, sexual harassment and bullying policy for the Civil Service. The policy has been drawn up in consultation with the Civil Service staff unions and reflects those discussions, as well as developments in relation to harassment and sexual harassment arising from the Employment Equality Act, 1998. The policy has been issued to personnel branches in all Departments and offices and to all the Civil Service staff unions. A short leaflet summarising the policy has been issued to all civil servants.

The policy applies to civil servants, that is, people employed directly by Government Departments and civil servants employed by bodies under the aegis of Government Departments. It does not cover public servants directly. It is the responsibility of public service agencies, as separate employers, to develop their own policies in this regard. However, the Civil Service policy does provide a good model for public service agencies to follow.

The first part of the policy defines harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. It sets out the civil service policy in this regard and elaborates on the types of behaviour that constitute harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. The policy outlines the provisions of the Employment Equality Act, 1998, in relation to the statutory offences of harassment and sexual harassment. It also indicates the support and assistance available from the employee assistance service to parties who are either making, or are the subject of, a complaint of harassment, sexual harassment or bullying. The second part of the policy details the procedures that should be followed in investigating a complaint of harassment, sexual harassment or bullying.

The policy provides for the appointment of investigators to examine complaints of harassment, sexual harassment or bullying. My Department is in the process of organising training courses for these investigators. To date over 60 persons have received training.

The responsibility for raising awareness and the detailed implementation of the policy lies with each individual Department or office. I understand that a number of Departments are in the process of developing awareness raising programmes.