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Dear Susanna, 1. We reviewed our Harassment Policy (for staff) this year. The policy for students is being reviewed at the moment. We re-named the staff policy the Bullying and Harassment Policy. Here is a quote from our policy which gives the definition of bullying and harassment as we see it (this was the subject of much debate amongst the group of managers, unions and Personnel staff who reviewed the policy): 'Bullying and Harassment can be defined as unwanted behaviour, which causes offence to the individual concerned or to others, and which is not justified by the working professional relationship. Harassment is a form of discrimination, and is covered by legislation including the Sex Discrimination Act, the Disability Discrimination Act, and the Race Relations Act. The behaviour described above as 'bullying' could be considered to be harassment when directed against someone because of their race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or some particular physical feature.' 2. Our current EO policy states its aim as: 'The Open University aims to create the conditions whereby students and staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, age*, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, family circumstance, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction' There is a note on the bottom in relation to the asterisk on age to say 'subject to the normal pay and retirement conventions and University regulations on admission' Regards Dawn Steel - Personnel Officer The Open University > -----Original Message----- > From: Susanna Hancock [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: 18 December 2001 13:00 > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Two questions > > Dear Colleagues > > I would be glad to hear your thoughts on two issues. > > 1. I'd be interested to know whether your organisations have > separate harrassment and bullying policies. At the moment, at > Muiddlesex University, we have one policy and procedure for > dealing with harrasment and another on bullying. My view is that > we should keep them separate as they are two different things; > however some colleagues think it would be easier/better to include > them in the same policy with the same procedures. What do you > think? > > 2. My second question is about the Human Rights Act. Have you > all been updating your EO policies to reflect the implications of the > HRA, Article 14, to include the addtional grounds of language, > political or other opinion, birth or status; a statement that all > individuals would be treated with dignity and respect and valued for > their contribution. > > I eagerly await your responses! > > Have a lovely Christmas/break/matriarchal winter solstice, or > whatever! > > Susanna > > > > > Susanna Hancock > Equal Opportunities Officer > HRS > Telephone: 020 8411 6873 > Email: [log in to unmask]