§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 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. HurdThe 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 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.
All Home Office staff have been advised that complaints should normally be made to their head of division or, where that is not appropriate, to the head of their personnel management division. Two complaints have been reported to personnel management divisions. One led to a formal reprimand and transfer to other duties, the other was found to be unsubstantiated. No central records are kept of complaints resolved by local management.