GOVERNMENT,
EMPLOYERS AND UNIONS BACK NEW GUIDE Employers, unions and the
government joined forces today to promote new guidance on
preventing harassment and violence in the workplace.
The guidance, which follows a Europe-wide agreement between
employers’ organisations and unions, aims to give practical help
and support to firms and their employees.
The guide signals the first time that the CBI, (Confederation of
British Industry), the Partnership of Public Employers (PPE) and
the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have come together to provide
guidance on harassment and violence in the workplace. The guidance
has the support of the Government, including the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE), the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration
Service (ACAS) and the Department for Business, Innovation and
Skills (BIS).
Speaking at the launch in central
London today, Employment Relations Minister Lord Young said:
“Workplace harassment and violence is unacceptable and the
Government is committed to addressing these problems. By making
sure that employers understand their obligations and workers
understand their rights we can promote a better workplace culture.
“This guidance is another step in the right direction and is the
product of employers and unions working together with Government
and the relevant agencies”.
Katja Hall, Director of Employment Policy, CBI, said:
“Workplace harassment and violence should not be tolerated. We
hope this publication will give employers a useful guide to
assessing the risks to their employees, and help them with the
steps they could take to make sure employees are protected.”
TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“No one wants to be harassed or attacked at work. People who
suffer violence or harassment deserve all our support. It would be
far better if things weren’t allowed to go wrong. So unions are
committed to working with employers to make workplaces better and
safer, and to make sure that people at work are treated with respect.”
PPE Director Tina Weber said:
“Public service employers strongly support the launch of this
guidance. We were particularly keen to include the issue of
harassment and violence perpetrated by service users as this is
regrettably becoming increasingly common. Public service workers
deserve to be able to carry out their important functions free
from the threat of – or indeed actual physical and verbal abuse.
We hope that the launch of this publication will raise awareness
of this issue and will provide employers and employees with a
useful tool to help address it”.
Notes to Editors
A copy of Preventing Workplace Harassment and Violence – joint
guidance implementing a European social partner agreement, can be
found here: www.workplaceharassment.org.uk
The stated aim of the agreement is to:
· Raise awareness and increase understanding of employers,
workers and their representatives of workplace harassment and both
internal and third party violence;
· Provide employers, workers and their representatives with a
framework of response to identify, prevent and manage problems of
harassment and all forms of violence at work.
The European agreement defines harassment and violence as
unacceptable behaviour by one or more individuals that can take
many different forms, some of which may be more easily
identifiable than others. Harassment occurs when someone is
repeatedly and deliberately abused, threatened and / or humiliated
in circumstances relating to work. Violence occurs when one or
more worker or manager is assaulted in circumstances relating to
work. Both may be carried out by one or more manager, worker,
service user or member of the public with the purpose or effect of
violating a manager’s or worker’s dignity, affecting his / her
health and / or creating a hostile work environment.
For media enquiries only contact:Matt Barker in the BIS press
office on 020 7215 5946CBI press office on 020 7395 8090, out of
hours pager 07623 977 854 or email press.office@cbi.org.ukLiz
Chinchenin the TUC press office on 020 7467 1248
Department for Business, Innovation &
Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Matthew Barker
Phone: 020 7215 5946
Matthew.Barker@bis.gsi.gov.uk