Bullying and harassment: NHSScotland PIN policy

Appendix 4 Policy checklist

Use this checklist to help ensure your organisation's bullying and harassment policy contains these essential elements.

1 Core strategy elements

• Acceptance that bullying and harassment are organisational issues;
• Measures to assess and prevent bullying and harassment;
• Information and training about the bullying and harassment policy;
• Development of an organisational-specific 'Code of Conduct';
• Access to confidential support (Confidential Contact);
• Access to professional counselling services;
• Provision for monitoring and reviewing the policy/procedure;
• Communication of the legal framework; and
• Access to facilitated discussion.

2 Key policy and procedure elements

• Commitment from senior management;
• Statement that bullying and harassment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated;
• Clear definitions of unacceptable behaviour;
• Statement that bullying and harassment will be treated as a disciplinary offence;
• Responsibilities of employees and managers;
• Confidentiality provisions within the process;
• Informal stage (incorporating processes for mediation and facilitated meetings);
• Jointly developed and agreed with staff and staff-side representatives;
• Applicable to all staff; and
• Incorporates bullying and harassment by clients, patients, relatives, contractors, advocates, agency staff and staff from other agencies.