The new code can be found here.
Essentially, the new code has been updated, and replaces the unsatisfactory situation where there were three codes of practice in this general area. Two by the Health and Safety Authority and the Workplace Relations Commission on bullying and one by the Equality Authority on harassment and sexual harassment (here).
There is now more emphasis and more detail on the process to be followed, but it is still up to each employer to set out their own policy on bullying, meeting the requirements under the new code.
One important thing to note is that bullying and harassment are two separate concepts.
Workplace bullying is defined in the code as “repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could be reasonably regarded as undermining the individual’s right to dignity at work. An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work, but, as a once off incident, is not considered to be bullying”.
Harassment is being targeted/treated differently/discriminated against on one of the nine grounds set out in the graphic below.
Business Legal can draft your new policy on bullying/harassment very cost effectively.
See below for the three workflows for each of the HSA, WRC and Equality Authority.
