§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science 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.
§ Mrs. RumboldThis Department's policy is that sexual harassment is a form of misconduct which is unacceptable and where substantiated, will be dealt with as a disciplinary matter. Guidance about sexual harassment, reporting complaints and disciplinary procedures was issued to each member of staff last year. Over the last five years three cases have been reported each of which was investigated. In one case a formal warning was issued.