What a policy should include

The policy should start with a clear statement confirming that no form of bullying and harassment will be tolerated, anywhere in the organisation.

The conciliation service Acas’s guide, Bullying and harassment at work: a guide for managers and employers, suggests that a specific policy on bullying and harassment could include:

• a statement of commitment from senior management;

• acknowledgement that bullying and harassment are problems for the organisation;

• a clear statement that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated;

• examples of unacceptable behaviour;

• a statement that bullying and harassment may be treated as disciplinary offences;

• the steps the organisation takes to prevent bullying and harassment;

• the responsibilities of supervisors and managers;

• confidentiality for any complainant;

• reference to grievance procedures (formal and informal), including timescales for action;

• investigation procedures, including timescales for action;

• reference to disciplinary procedures, including timescales for action;

• counselling and support availability;

• training for managers;

• protection from victimisation; and

• how the policy is to be implemented, reviewed and monitored.

It is important that the policy’s relationship with the employer’s other procedures, such as discipline and grievance procedures, is clear.