APPENDIX 1
OD & HR POLICIES
Organisational Development & Human Resources
DRAFT
FAIR TREATMENT
AT WORK
POLICY
APPENDIX 1
1. POLICY STATEMENT
1.1 Dumfries and Galloway Council (the
Council) is committed to providing a
positive workplace that supports an
environment free from all forms of
unfair treatment.
1.2 Bullying, harassment and
victimisation (defined under this
policy as unfair treatment) are always
unacceptable and the Council will not
tolerate such behavior within the
workplace. Allegations which are
proven could result in dismissal.
1.3 The Council recognises the adverse
effects that unfair treatment can have
on individuals and teams and
understands that poor working
relationships are potentially harmful
and damaging to the Council. The
Council therefore promotes a culture
of prevention, early intervention
openness and trust.
1.4 Managers have a responsibility to
provide a fair and reasonable
approach to dealing with employee’s
concerns about their employment.
Employees have a responsibility to
ensure that they treat others with
dignity and respect.
1.5 This policy and Procedure provides
the framework and process for
dealing with complaints of unfair
treatment.
1.6 Definitions of bullying, harassment
and victimisation and what
constitutes unacceptable behaviour
are contained within the Fair
Treatment at Work Procedure.
1.7 This policy is in accordance with
relevant legislation and best practice.
2. PRINCIPLES
2.1 The Council is committed to
preventing unfair treatment and
providing a positive working
environment which is free from all
forms of unfair treatment.
2.2 The Council has a zero tolerance
approach to bullying, harassment,
and victimisation. Managers will
communicate this policy to all
employees and promote an
awareness of unfair treatment in the
workplace.
2.3 Where concerns are raised the
Council will act quickly to address
concerns. In the first instance, the
Council will promote the use of an
informal approach such as
management meetings and mediation
to address a complaint.
2.4 The Council recognises that concerns
will develop into serious complaints
that, if they are not addressed could
lead to a deterioration of performance
and working relationships.
2.5 The Council expects its employees to
adhere to the policy in their dealings
with other employees, agency
workers, contractors and the public.
2.6 Managers have a legitimate right to
manage and in doing so must set
realistic performance objectives and
raise poor performance with team
APPENDIX 1
members at the earliest opportunity.
2.7 Employees who witness behaviours
which may constitute unfair treatment
towards other employees have a
responsibility to bring these matters
to the attention of an appropriate
manager as quickly as possible.
2.8 All allegations will be dealt with
promptly and in a sensitive and
confidential manner.
2.9 Employees who make allegations
which are proven to be malicious
and/or vexatious could result in
dismissal.
2.10 Employees have the right to be
supported throughout any complaint
and represented by a work colleague
or Trade Union official during the
formal procedures.
3. SCOPE
3.1 This Policy applies to all employees
of Dumfries and Galloway Council
3.2 Non-council staff and/or visitors to the
organisation, including contractors,
volunteers or agency workers, must
also comply with this policy
3.3 The policy covers all situations both
within the workplace and in any workrelated setting outside the workplace,
including for example business trips,
conferences and work-related social
events.
4. RELATED PROCEDURES/TOOLKITS
4.1 This Policy should be read in
conjunction with our Council’s Fair
Treatment at Work Procedure which
provides further guidance and
practical tools to assist with the
application of the policy.
5. MONITORING & REVIEW
5.1 This policy has been jointly
developed and consulted on with the
Trade Unions. The Policy has been
subject to an Equality Impact
Assessment and any findings
incorporated into the policy.