Vol. 538 No. 1
55 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of employers who have to date adopted the dignity at work charter as recommended by the Task Force on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying. [17275/01]
I am replying to this question on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Tom Kitt. The report of the Task Force on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying 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.
Following a detailed examination of the issue of workplace bullying, and taking full account of all the findings of the national survey on workplace bullying, as conducted by the ESRI, the task force made a number of wide-ranging recommendations requiring action at State and at enterprise levels.
The 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 HSA.
I am advised that work is being advanced on the implementation of these recommendations. The advisory committee has been set up already by the HSA with representation from the main State agencies and the social partners, while work is advancing on the three codes of practice by the relevant State agencies.
The role of the State has been recognised by the task force. In addition, the responsibility at local level of employers, managers and employees has also been emphasised. The report states, "Central to the concept of an effective workplace is the commitment of management and work force to develop and maintain an atmosphere in which the dignity of each individual is respected." In this regard, the task force recommended that all organisations and businesses should adopt a dignity at work charter and should also develop a separate and specific anti-bullying policy.
We have asked that individual employers take on board the recommendations in the report which directly concern them, and to put in place appropriate anti-bullying measures without delay. I have encouraged all employers, as a practical first step, to adopt the dignity at work charter, as recommended by the task force.
Additional Information.We have also written to the director of IBEC highlighting the fact that, in order to ensure that all of the recommendations of the task force are translated into appropriate action, a continued input from IBEC and its members at enterprise level is required.
However, as the adoption of the dignity at work charter is not a statutory requirement on an employer, we do not have the data requested by the Deputy on the number of employers who have adopted the charter to date. I am confident, nonetheless, that, given that there was full social partnership representation on the task force, and that the social partners are also represented on the advisory committee, the dignity at work charter and the introduction of appropriate anti-bullying policies at enterprise level will continue to be encouraged and facilitated by all parties.
I am reluctant to take serious issue with the Minister of State. However, I asked a straightforward question. The Minister of State exhausted his two minutes but did not refer to the number of employers. It is similar to Deputy Perry's experience on an earlier question. I am not sure who prepares the files for the Minister of State and what power he has to refer to, or to read, the questions. However, I asked him a specific question. We heard all this before. My question referred to the number of employers who have adopted the charter to date. I take it from the Minister of State's reply that no employers have done so. I am sure he will contradict me if I am wrong.
I have looked at the notes and I do not see any data which gives a positive reply to the Deputy's question. However, I will see if we can ascertain the details for the Deputy. If that can be done the information will be communicated to the Deputy in writing.
The Minister of State should have done so before now. He is answering for another Minister of State.
This is the point of imposing deadlines on questions. This question was submitted last week. I am not sure if the Department—
The Deputy should put a question to the Minister.
I asked a question to which there is no answer.
We cannot debate that at this stage.
I doubt anyone has the information the Deputy seeks.
In view of the fact that nobody in the State has adopted a dignity at work charter to date, the Minister of State's strategy in this area is obviously failing miserably. Perhaps he would take steps to ensure this failure is addressed as a matter of urgency.
Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, has worked very assiduously on this evolving issue. The task force recommended that various companies should adopt such a charter although I am not sure whether a particular date was stipulated. As I understand, this is a voluntary code.
The Minister of State gave the same reply to Question No. 52.
I will discuss the matter with the Minister and if any hard evidence is identified, we would be only too delighted to pass it on.
