Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Feb 2002

Vol. 547 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dignity at Work Charter.

Michael D'Arcy

Question:

51 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 recommended by the task force on the prevention of workplace bullying; and if she will provide a progress report in this regard. [3362/02]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The Dignity in the Workplace Charter originates from a recommendation of the task force on the prevention of workplace bullying.

The purpose of the charter is to facilitate the management and the staff of any and every employment in the country to make a public commitment to provide a workplace free of bullying, and to develop policies and procedures that underpin the principles and objectives of the charter.

It is important to note that the adoption of the charter is not a statutory or compulsory requirement on an employer, but is voluntary. On this basis, therefore, there is no system in place whereby employers register for the charter or where a record is maintained of the number of employers who adopt the charter.

I have, however, been informed by the Health and Safety Authority, which is the central co-ordinating State agency overseeing the implementation of the task force recommendations, that, to date, it has distributed over 16,000 copies of the charter. The authority anticipates that a high level of demand for copies of the charter will continue for the foreseeable future.

I have, in view of my initiative in setting up the task force on the prevention of workplace bullying, asked the authority to ensure particularly that, given the lead role and example which the State should play in this regard, all Departments and State Agencies be circulated with copies of the charter.

In addition, the charter has been endorsed by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Construction Industry Federation. Each of these organisations is supporting the charter by promoting its adoption by its constituent members and by facilitating its distribution amongst members. This endorsement gives the charter much impact and credibility not least because of the wide spectrum of interests which these organisations collectively represent.

It is, however, important to emphasise the charter is only one element of the strategy to prevent workplace bullying. It is not an end in itself and does not replace the appropriateness and necessity of employers having specific preventative and procedural measures in place to address workplace bullying.

The task force report recognised that both sides of industry have a primary role to play in combating workplace bullying. The report clearly states that "central to the concept of an effective workplace is the commitment of management and workforce to develop and maintain an atmosphere in which the dignity of each individual is respected.". Adoption of the Dignity in the Workplace Charter is an appropriate way in which an enterprise can make commit itself to the establishment of such an effective workplace and a significant step in developing a positive bullying prevention strategy.