The Civil Service is committed to protecting dignity and respect for all employees and all complaints of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are addressed by Government Departments in accordance with the principles outlined in the Civil Service wide Dignity at Work Policy which was established in partnership between Civil Service Management and Unions.
In relation to the companies mentioned, I can confirm that these companies are part of a panel of external professional investigators who provide workplace investigation services to Government Departments in accordance with the Dignity at Work policy. This panel was established following a competitive tender process carried out by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on behalf of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The question of an audit of the investigations carried out by these companies is a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
My Department implements the Dignity at Work policy and complaints raised by staff concerning bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are addressed in accordance with the principles outlined in the policy.
The policy encourages the use of informal resolution methods and the use of mediation as often and as early as possible when conflict situations arise. Complaints are referred for external independent investigation where the Personnel Officer deems the circumstances of the case warrant such engagement in situations where all other means of resolution have been exhausted.
In the event that complaints are referred to Investigators, the complaints refer to named individual staff members, rather than the Department. In relation to the outcome of such investigations since April 2015, the position is as follows:
- Number of Investigations: 4
- Number of complaints upheld by Investigation: 1
- Number of complaints not upheld: 2
- Number of ongoing investigations: 1
As demonstrated by the figures above, since 2015, out of the three completed investigations, one complaint has been upheld.
Again, findings arising from such investigations into complaints made under the Dignity at Work Policy are made against individual staff members and not against the Department.
Investigations under the Dignity at Work Policy are not required to make findings as to what may constitute grounds for disciplinary action. That is a matter for my Department's Personnel Officer, who will subsequently consider the conclusions of the investigation report and the circumstances pertaining to the case and make a decision as to whether there are grounds for disciplinary sanction.
