Issue - meetings

This report seeks to introduce a Sexual Harassment Policy to drive greater prevention and protection for employees against sexual harassment in the workplace. It also seeks to clarify how instances of reported sexual harassment will be dealt with in conjunction with the revised Harassment Policy and Procedure.

Discussion

The Head of Employee Relations presented this report which sought approval to introduce a sexual harassment policy to drive greater prevention and protection for employees against sexual harassment in the workplace. It also sought to clarify how instances of reported sexual harassment would be dealt with in conjunction with the revised harassment policy and procedure.

It was noted that introducing a sexual harassment policy would support compliance with legal requirements under the Worker Protections Act 2023, as well as the proposed changes to those requirements under the Employment Rights Bill. It would also help to promote an inclusive and supportive working environment where employees could feel safe in the workplace.

In response to a query as to how this policy would apply to third party interaction e.g. external contractors, the Head of Employee Relations undertook to find this information out.

Members noted the Joint Consultative Committee comments from the earlier

meeting.

Decision:

a)       The Committee approved the introduction of a sexual harassment policy and the implementation of the policy across all areas of the organisation.

b)       The Committee noted the requirement for adequate training provision and awareness communications to allow managers and employees to have an informed insight on existing and new preventative and responsive measures to protect workers against sexual harassment.