Issue - meetings

Minute number 2 refers.  Please see revised Policy.

The Head of People, ICT and Property Services submitted a report concerning revisions to the Bullying and Harassment Policies.  It was noted that, to facilitate debate at the Local Joint Panel meeting held on 13 June 2012, the Director of Internal Services, had suggested that the reports be submitted to Human Resources Committee,  subject to both the Employer’s Side and the Staff Side resolving any anomalies in advance of this meeting. 

Members approved the Dignity at Work Statement.

The Head of People, ICT and Property Services advised that the Policy had been amended to ensure that Human Resources would intervene at an early stage and confirmed that the revisions now had the support of UNISON.

RESOLVED – that the Bullying and Harassment Policy, as now submitted, be approved.

(see also Minute 161 above)

The Secretary to Employer’s Side submitted a report outlining revisions to the Bullying and Harassment Policy and Dignity at Work Statement.  The Secretary to the Employer’s Side outlined the key changes.

Staff Side stated that they had been given insufficient time to consider the policy or its implications.  To facilitate debate, the Director of Internal Services suggested that these polices be submitted to Human Resources Committee, subject to both sides resolving any anomalies in advance of the meeting.  In the event that issues cannot be resolved, then the Polices would be referred back to Local Joint Panel for further consideration.

Staff Side sought clarification on when informal as opposed to formal approaches should be used and of the difficulties managers might face in deciding what constituted bullying or harassment.  The Employer’s Side referred Members to the report where the use of the formal procedures would apply.  Members requested that managers be provided with appropriate training.  The Panel supported this suggestion.

Staff Side referred to the Dignity At Work Statement commenting that everyone had a right to be treated with dignity and respect and that this should be included in the Statement.  

A Member referred to electronic bullying.  The Secretary to the Employer’s Side stated that a Social Media Policy would be drafted.

Members supported the suggestion that all complaints (including informal) ones, should be logged.

The Panel supported a suggestion that the Bullying and Harassment Policy, as amended, be submitted to Human Resources Committee, subject to both sides resolving any anomalies in advance of the meeting.  In the event that issues cannot be resolved, then the Policy would be referred back to Local Joint Panel for further consideration.

RECOMMENDED – that the Bullying and Harassment Policy be submitted to Human Resources Committee subject to both sides resolving any anomalies in advance of the meeting.  In the event that issues cannot be resolved, then the Policy be referred back to Local Joint Panel for further consideration.