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.