The number of Civil Service dignity at work investigations has more than doubled in just 12 months.
There were 20 probes in the last year — more than the two previous years combined. One MLA described the figures as “incredibly concerning”.
Dignity at work is a policy that employees should be treated with respect and free from harassment, bullying and discrimination.
There are around 23,000 permanent Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) staff across Stormont’s nine departments, in addition to several thousand agency workers.
Figures obtained via a Freedom of Information request from the Department of Finance, which is responsible for NICS personnel, show that 47 complaints were filed in 2023/24, compared to 58 in 2022/23 and 51 in 2021/22.
Once complaints are reviewed, those that are deemed valid are subject to a formal investigation.
In 2021/22 there were six investigations, rising to seven in 2022/23 and 20 in 2023/24.
The number of complaints in one financial year do not necessarily correspond to the number of formal investigations, as a complaint may be filed in one year and a probe initiated the next.
Alliance MLA Eóin Tennyson, a member of Stormont’s finance committee, said he would be contacting Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald and NICS Jayne Brady on the matter.
Eoin Tennyson. Pic: Peter Morrison
“Everyone deserves to feel safe, welcome, and respected at work, and bullying and harassment within any workplace is totally unacceptable,” he said.
“Any complaints made should be robustly investigated and I would hope the NICS is doing so to the fullest extent.
“These figures represent an incredibly concerning spike and I will be writing to the Finance Minister and the Head of the Civil Service urgently seeking clarity about the circumstances surrounding this trend.”
The NICS dignity at work policy advises staff to speak to their line manager if they feel their dignity at work has been affected, or to a harassment contact officer.
It adds: “Harassment contact officers are fully conversant with NICS policy and procedures, and are trained to offer support and information to any member of staff who considers that s/he has been subjected to unwanted, unreasonable and offensive behaviour.
“Other sources of help and assistance are your departmental equal opportunities officer or trade union representative.”
The policy adds that, after a formal dignity at work policy is complete, the outcome will be discussed with the alleged offender’s departmental equal opportunities officer.
“Where a complaint is upheld, the report will be passed to the alleged offender’s department who will decide if disciplinary action is appropriate in accordance with normal procedures,” it adds.
A Department of Finance spokesperson said: “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 on these matters and operates a mediation service to staff who wish to improve working relations quickly and confidentially.”