Written Answers - Bullying in the Workplace.
Michael Bell
Question:
21
Mr. Bell
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if she will make a statement on the report of the recommendations of the Task Force on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying; when the Health and Safety Authority will establish an advisory committee to combat workplace bullying; if she will consider the introduction of legislation to outlaw the practice.
[12180/01]
Michael Finucane
Question:
41
Mr. Finucane
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her views on a recent survey finding that one in 12 employees is bullied in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12415/01]
Gerry Reynolds
Question:
47
Mr. G. Reynolds
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the action she proposes to take in respect of conclusions of a survey of workplace bullying carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute in response to a request from the Task Force on the Prevention of Bullying in the Workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[12416/01]
I propose to take Question Nos. 21, 41 and 47 together.
The report of the Task Force on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying, which I recently launched, is a comprehensive examination of the issue of workplace bullying.
The task force had three basic terms of reference which were to identify the size of the problem and the sectors most at risk; to develop practical programmes and strategies to prevent workplace bullying; and to produce a co-ordinated response from the State agencies.
A key element for any informed debate is the necessity to have national data on the nature, scope and scale of the problem. To fully meet the first term of reference, the task force commissioned an independent national survey on workplace bullying. This national survey was carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute. The survey represents a significant component of the task force report capturing as it does a full picture of the incidence and characteristics of workplace bullying in Ireland.
The findings of this survey, including the finding that a total of 7.0% of those currently in the workforce record themselves as having been bullied in the six months preceding the survey, will enable both the State and individual enterprises and employers to undertake appropriate and targeted actions.
Following a detailed examination of the issue of workplace bullying, and taking full account of all of the findings of the ESRI survey, the task force has determined that the prevention of, and the response to, workplace bullying is something that requires action and involvement at both State level and at enterprise level. In this regard the task force has made a number of wide-ranging recommendations.
The principal recommendations relating to action at State level include the designation of the Health and Safety Authority as the central co-ordinating State agency, the introduction of codes of practice on workplace bullying and harassment under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 1989, the Industrial Relations Act, 1990, and the Employment Equality Act, 1998, and the establishment of an advisory committee on workplace bullying under the auspices of the Health and Safety Authority.
In arriving at a recommendation to introduce and develop codes of practice, the task force examined the various provisions of existing employment legislation and considered the need or desirability for new or amending dedicated anti-bullying legislation. However, the task force considered that the existing legislation was comprehensive and that it would be premature at this stage to expand on that legislation until it had been fully and properly utilised.
The purpose of the codes of practice will be to provide guidance on putting in place policies and procedures at the level of individual enterprises, and as a basis and a reference point for the relevant State agencies, that is the Health and Safety Authority, the Equality Authority and the Labour Relations Commission, charged with offering advice and assistance.
The advisory committee will have a key role in co-ordinating and overseeing the implementation of the recommendations relating to the State's role in responding to workplace bullying, including the promotion of the three codes of practice. The proposed membership of the advisory committee will include representation from the main State agencies and bodies currently dealing with workplace equality, welfare and labour relations issues, in addition to IBEC and ICTU.
The board of the Health and Safety Authority has adopted the task force report and its recommendations and I have been informed by the authority that steps have been taken to set up the advisory committee. Nominations for membership of the committee will be sought shortly from relevant parties. I have asked all parties to the recommendations to advance their implementation as soon as possible. In particular, I have written to my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Donoghue, and to the chief executive of the Labour Relations Commission and to the chairman of the Health and Safety Authority, asking that the codes of practice, which are to be developed under their areas of responsibility, be completed as a matter of urgency. I have indicated that I would like to see codes finalised within three months.
I would also ask individual employers and enterprises to take on board the recommendations in the report which directly concern them, and to put in place, appropriate anti-bullying measures without delay. In particular, I encourage all employers, as a practical first step, to adopt the dignity at work charter recommended by the task force.
I welcome this report and its conclusions and recommendations. I am confident that the implementation of the recommendations will, in the long-term, have a positive impact in addressing the issue of workplace bullying.
