§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.
§ Mr. NichollsThe Civil Service policy on sexual harassment is set out in the programme of action to achieve equal opportunities for women in the Civil Service which was published by the Cabinet Office (Management 439W and Personnel Office) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures. The DE group's policy was agreed on this basis. It was issued to all staff in December 1984 with guidance on the reporting and handling of complaints. We have monitored this policy since July 1985 and in the 18 months to December 1986 (the last date for which figures are available) 31 cases have been reported. Appropriate action has been taken in all cases. Disciplinary penalties imposed have ranged from a written warning to a transfer at the offending officer's own expense.