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.