Bullying and harassment - Preston City Council volunteers

Everyone will be treated with respect and equality at Preston City Council. Bullying and harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. This includes bullying or harassment of Volunteers by members of Preston City Council.

This policy applies to all trustees, members, volunteers and staff throughout Preston, including those working away from their main office or place of work. Bullying and harassment will be treated as disciplinary offences.

What constitutes bullying and harassment?

In general terms, harassment is the unwanted conduct affecting the demeans/humiliates people in the workplace, where comments are viewed as disrespectful and unacceptable to the recipient.

Harassment, in general terms, is unwanted conduct affecting the dignity of men and women in the workplace, where actions or comments are viewed as demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient. It may be a persistent or an isolated incident related to:

• age
• gender
• race
• disability
• religion
• belief
• sexuality
• nationality
• or any personal characteristic of the individual

Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient.

Bullying or harassment may be by an individual against an individual or involve groups of people. It may be obvious or it may be insidious. It may be face to face or in written communications, electronic (e)mail or via phone.

Legitimate, constructive and fair criticism of an employee's/volunteer's performance or behaviour at work is not bullying. An occasional raised voice or argument is not bullying. Procedures Complaints of bullying and/or harassment, or information from staff/volunteers relating to such complaints, will be dealt with fairly and confidentially and sensitively using the general format set out in Let's Grow Preston's grievance procedures. However bullying or harassment will not be treated as a standard grievance. It is a serious issue and will be treated as such.

Whatever form it takes, it is unwarranted and unwelcome to the individual. It may take place in private or in public.