§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 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. RifkindThe 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. My Department's staff have been informed of this and also about how to make complaints of sexual harassment.
In the past five years seven complaints have been reported in my Department. Where the complaint has been substantiated, disciplinary action has ranged from a formal warning to forfeiture of pay.