Bullying and harassment
Draw up an anti bullying and harassment policy
Trade unions may help you to draw up a policy or provide guidance based on their experience in handling bullying and harassment cases.
Your policy on bullying and harassment could include:
- An explanation of what the terms mean and that harassment covers all the areas protected by anti-discrimination laws. See our guide on how to prevent discrimination and value diversity .
- Reference to your commitment to the revised Code of Practice on Racial Equality in Employment that was introduced on 22 November 2005 and becomes statutory from 6 April 2006. Download guidance on achieving racial equality in employment from the Commission for Racial Equality website (PDF) .
- Examples of behaviour that could be considered bullying and harassment.
- A statement that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated, and could result in a warning that the bully or harasser could be suspended or dismissed without notice or other disciplinary sanctions.
- Details of the procedures to be followed if bullying and/or harassment occurs, including both informal and formal approaches and relevant timescales which should be linked to your discipline and grievance procedures.
- The name of the person the employee should contact in case of bullying and/or harassment - a backup name should be provided in case this person is unsuitable, for example because they are the claimant's manager.
- Assurance that any complaint will be taken seriously, treated confidentially and that employees making complaints will be protected from retaliation.
- Assurance that a thorough and fair investigation of a claim will take place.
- A statement that there will be a right of appeal.
- Sources of guidance and support.
Read a draft bullying policy agreement on the UNISON website .
Subjects covered in this guide
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