May 20 - Dignity At Work Group Concerned By “Lack Of Progress”
The Dignity at Work Group (DAWG) says it is “very concerned” at what it says it the “lack of progress” in making places of work in the public sector a “safe and dignified” environment “free from all forms of bullying and harassment.” DAWG says that this is the result of a failure to adhere to and implement existing Government policies.
The group says that given the “numerous delays experienced”, it is in the public interest to make this known.
A statement continued:
“The Dignity at Work Policy and Procedure for the public and civil service has been in place since 2013. The Employment (Bullying at work) Act 2014 has been in place since September of the same year. In these two documents HMGoG clearly states the Employer’s commitment to:
“provide its staff… a working and learning environment that is free from all forms of bullying”
“It further states that: “HMGoG has a corporate responsibility to take active steps to minimise the level of bullying within its departments, Agencies, Authorities and HMGoG owned Companies and to actively promote the wellbeing of its staff.”
And:
“HMGoG will train managers. Such training shall be mandatory and information in the form of literature will subsequently be made available to all staff.”
The Schedule within the legislation reads as follow:
“(g) arrangements to train all those occupying any position of managerial authority with the employer in the Policy and to inform all employees of the Policy;”
“DAWG are committed to ensuring that these and other procedures are effectively acted on. There are members and non-members, employees and others that are being negatively affected by the lack of implementation of these procedures. We believe that there is no valid moral reason or excuse to the continued delays to have the above policy and legislation adhered to effectively.
“We have seen the publication of important surveys, independently conducted, overwhelmingly demonstrating the high levels of bullying that is happening in our places of work, namely in the RGP, HM Customs and other areas.
“Given the staggering percentages presented and known devastating negative effects of bullying DAWG strongly urges HMGoG to come to the realisation that the longer the delays continue the more victims of bullying it will be responsible for.”
The Dignity At Work Group (DAWG) are represented by:
The Gibraltar NASUWT,
Gibraltar General and Clerical Association, (GGCA)
Unite the Union, (UTU) and
Dignity At Work Now (DAWN)
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