The policy covers behaviour in any work-related setting both inside and outside the workplace
Stock image of Belfast City Hall(Image: Belfast Live)
Belfast City Council has agreed to new draft policy documents on bullying and equal opportunities.
Councillors at City Hall agreed policies for bullying and harassment as well as equal opportunities at the April meeting of the council’s Strategic Policy and Resources Committee.
The council states the policies “demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome, valued and respected.”
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The council states the purpose of the bullying policy is to ensure a working environment in which “bullying and harassment are understood to be unacceptable and where individuals have the confidence to complain about bullying and harassment.” It says employees should expect that “their concerns will be dealt with promptly, appropriately and fairly and that they will not be made to feel disadvantaged in any way for having raised or pursued a concern in good faith.”
The policy covers behaviour in any work-related setting both inside and outside the workplace, by and against fellow employees or customers, suppliers or the public during or outside of working hours. This includes business trips or work-related social events or by way of electronic communication including email, social media or by phone such as by text message or app.
The policy applies to all employees of Belfast City Council. The council says casual workers will be “treated in accordance with the principles inherent in the policy.”
The equal opportunities policy is for employees and job applicants and “a working environment in which all employees and job applicants will be treated on the basis of merit in a fair, consistent and objective manner and where unlawful discrimination and victimisation is understood to be unacceptable.”
The council states: “The council is committed to providing equal opportunities and promoting a good and harmonious working environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation and victimisation and where all employees are treated with dignity and respect and their rights are protected.”
It covers all so-called “Section 75” groups, that is cohorts delineated by sex, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment status, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership status and other characteristics.
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