Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

124. To ask the Taoiseach if there have been bullying or sexual harassment claims lodged within his Department in each year since 2011; if so, the number of either complaints on an annual basis, in tabular form; if these complaints have been investigated; the outcome of each investigation; and the policies in place within his Department to combat bullying and sexual harassment. [2323/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No bullying or sexual harassment cases have been lodged within my Department since 2011.

My Department is committed to maintaining a positive working environment for all its employees. My Department has the same duty of care obligations under the Safety Health and Welfare Act 2005 as other employers in the state. Bullying, discrimination and harassment can negatively affect an employee’s psychological as well as physical wellbeing.

My Department ensures that all employees read and sign circular 26/2004 – The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. Section 12 of circular 26/2004 outlines the standard expected of all employees in regard to relations with their colleagues. This includes the legal duty on Civil Servants not to discriminate against their colleagues on the grounds outlined in the Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2015.

All employees are also asked to read ‘Dignity at Work - An anti bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service’ as part of my Department’s induction process. This document was developed in partnership between the Civil Service management and the staff panel of unions. It prescribes the complaint and investigation process for bullying and harassment in the Civil Service.

My Department complies strictly with Circular 19/2016 - Civil Service Disciplinary Code which prescribes the procedure for investigating and disciplining where there is a failure to adhere to the required standards of conduct for a Civil Servant.

In order to promote dignity and equality in the workplace, my Department regularly runs training on related topics, for example Unconscious Bias in the Workplace Training. Unconscious Bias is also a module in training given to interview board participants in my Department.