§ Mr. Tony LloydTo 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. NichollsMy Department's policy is that sexual harassment at work is not tolerated and is treated as a disciplinary offence. Guidance on our policy and on the reporting and handling of complaints is included in our personnel handbook which is available to all staff.
We have monitored this policy since 1 July 1985 and in the period from then to 31 December 1989 (the last date for which figures are available) 88 cases have been reported.
Appropriate action has been taken in all cases. Disciplinary penalties imposed have ranged from warnings to being employed in a lower grade.