AQW 20441/22-27
Mr Eóin Tennyson
Alliance Party
Upper Bann
Tabled Date: 13/01/2025
Answered On Date: 21/01/2025
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail the number of complaints initiated under the Northern Ireland Civil Service Dignity at Work policy that resulted in (i) early retirement; and (ii) dismissal of those being investigated, between 2021-22 and 2023-24.
Answer:
The Civil Service is committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. The Dignity at Work policy makes staff aware of the types of behaviour that might cause offence; highlights the sources of information and assistance available; and sets out the procedures for dealing with inappropriate behaviour. The Department provides dedicated training across the Civil Service on these matters and operates a mediation service to staff who wish to improve working relations quickly and confidentially. There have been 156 complaints initiated under the Dignity at Work policy between 2021-22 and 2023-24, as set out in the table below. It is not possible to provide information on the number of early retirements that have resulted from the initiation of a complaint under the Dignity at Work policy, as the reasons for early retirement requests are not recorded. There has been one dismissal as a result of a Dignity at Work complaint during the time period specified. Year | Dignity at Work complaints received | Dismissed as a result of a Dignity at Work investigation* | 2021/22 | 51 | | 2022/23 | 58 | 1 | 2023/24 | 47 | | Total | 156 | |
*Please note that the figure in this column does not necessarily relate to a complaint received in the same year.
|