Agenda item

The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0      Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1        To present the draft Bullying & Harassment Policy and draft Equal Opportunities Policy for approval.

2.0        Recommendation

2.1        The committee is asked to:

·         Note the contents of this report;

·         And agree to adopt the Bullying and Harassment and Equal Opportunities Policies.

3.0        Main Report

            One of the people goals in our People Strategy is to make Belfast City Council ‘a place for everyone’, and we have committed to developing a culture of respect and inclusivity by increasing awareness and understanding of diversity issues and implementing policies and procedures that aim to achieve this.

3.2        The Draft Bullying & Harassment Policy and Draft Equal Opportunities Policy demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome, valued and respected. These policies were developed and consulted on through the IR Framework with management and Trade Unions.  The policies were agreed at JNCC on 26 March 2026.

            Draft Bullying & Harassment Policy

3.3        The Council is committed to providing a good and harmonious working environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation and victimisation and where all employees are treated with dignity and respect and their rights are protected. The purpose of this policy is to ensure a working environment in which bullying and harassment are understood to be unacceptable and where individuals have the confidence to complain about bullying and harassment, should it arise, in the knowledge that their concerns will be dealt with promptly, appropriately and fairly and that they will not be made to feel disadvantaged in any way for having raised or pursued a concern in good faith.

3.4        This policy covers behaviour in any work-related setting both inside and outside the workplace, by and against fellow employees or customers, suppliers or the public during or outside of working hours, for example business trips or work-related social events or by way of electronic communication including email, social media or by phone such as by text message or app.

3.5        This policy applies to all employees of Belfast City Council (the ‘Council’). Casual workers will be treated in accordance with the principles inherent in the policy.

             Draft Equal Opportunities Policy

3.6        The Council is committed to providing equal opportunities and promoting a good and harmonious working environment free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation and victimisation and where all employees are treated with dignity and respect and their rights are protected.

3.7        The purpose of this policy is to ensure equal opportunities for employees and job applicants  and a working environment in which all employees and job applicants will be treated on the basis of merit in a fair, consistent and objective manner and where unlawful discrimination and victimisation is understood to be unacceptable and individuals have the confidence to complain about it, should it arise, in the knowledge that their concerns will be dealt with promptly, appropriately and fairly and that they will not be made to feel disadvantaged in any way for having raised or pursued a concern in good faith.

3.8        This policy covers behaviour in any work-related setting both inside and outside the workplace, against fellow employees, job applicants, customers, suppliers and the public and during or outside of working hours, for example business trips or work-related social events or by way of electronic communication including email social media or by phone such as text message or app.

3.9        This policy does not cover alleged incidents of unlawful discrimination or victimisation of Council employees by those who are not Council employees. Such matters will be dealt with in accordance with the Protection of Staff from Workplace Violence and Abuse from the Public – Roles and Responsibilities.

3.10      Financial and Resource Implications

            None

3.11      Equality or Good Relations Implications/Rural Needs Assessment

            The policies promote equality of opportunity for people within Section 75 groups by promoting an inclusive workplace and showing our commitment to the creation of a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and no one is treated less favourably than any other person or group of persons on the grounds of their sex, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender reassignment status, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership status or any other characteristic.”

            The Committee noted the contents of this report and agreed to adopt the Bullying and Harassment and Equal Opportunities Policies.