§ Ms. RichardsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his Department's policy on sexual harassment at work; whether guidance on reporting complaints has been issued to all members of staff; how many complaints have been reported in the past five years; and what disciplinary action has been taken.
§ Mr. StanleyThe 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 (MPO) in 1984. Sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is dealt with as a disciplinary matter through the usual Civil Service complaints procedures.
Action is in hand to issue guidance to all members of staff in the near future.
In the past five years eight complaints have been reported. All have been resolved without recourse to disciplinary action.