All members of our staff are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect in our place of work. This means freedom from sexual harassment, feeling safe and supported, and having access to redress if such behaviour does arise.

  1. Third-party harassment occurs when one of our workforce is subjected to harassment by someone who is not part of our workforce but who is encountered in connection with work. This includes our customers, suppliers and members of the public. Third-party harassment of our workforce will not be tolerated.
  2. Conduct becomes harassment if it persists and it has been made clear that it is regarded as offensive by the recipient or a witness to the conduct, although a single offensive act can amount to harassment if it is sufficiently serious.
  3. We deplore all forms of personal harassment and seek to ensure that the working environment is sympathetic to all those who work for us. This includes employees, workers, agency workers, volunteers and contractors in all areas of our Company.

  1. Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person. It also covers treating someone less favourably because they have submitted to or refused to submit to unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, or that is related to gender reassignment or sex.
  2. Sexual harassment may be committed by a third party and it does not need to occur in person. It can occur via digital means including social media sites or channels e.g. Whatsapp. Someone may be sexually harassed even if they were not the target of the behaviour. Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
    1. sexual comments or jokes, which may be referred to as ‘banter’
    2. displaying sexually graphic pictures, posters or photos
    3. suggestive looks, staring or leering
    4. propositions and sexual advances
    5. making promises in return for sexual favours
    6. sexual gestures
    7. intrusive questions about a person’s private or sex life or a person discussing their own sex life
    8. sexual posts or contact in online communications including on social media
    9. spreading sexual rumours about a person
    10. sending sexually explicit emails, text messages or messages via other social media
    11. unwelcome touching, hugging, massaging or kissing

  1. We take a zero-tolerance approach to third-party harassment of our workforce. Any complaints of third-party harassment will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.
  2. Should a third party harass a member of our workforce, they will be warned that continued provision of our service with them will cease if they are to act in a similar way again. Should their behaviour recur, they will be informed that our service to them will cease. Any criminal acts will be reported to the police, and we will share information relating to the incident with our other branches to ensure that we maintain a consistent approach to the cessation of our services.

Authorised and approved by:

Dean Murray

Chief Executive Officer