Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what proportion of (a) disabled and (b) all other staff in his Department reported experiencing bullying or harassment at work in the most recent Civil Service People Survey.

In the 2014 People Survey, 25 staff respondents declaring a long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability reported that they had personally experienced bullying or harassment at work in the past 12 months. 62 staff respondents declaring that they did not have a long-standing physical or mental health condition, illness, impairment or disability reported that they had personally experienced bullying or harassment at work in the past 12 months.

Whilst these figures are below the Civil Service average, the Department does not tolerate any form of bullying and harassment. Clear steps have been taken since the days of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which was accused of a culture of bullying (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Select Committee, January 2006, HC 559).

We have a clear policy that sets out the behaviours that are expected of all staff, and the behaviours that will not be tolerated and will result in disciplinary action. The policy also makes clear how staff should address any concerns they may have. Individual members of staff also have access to that policy and to a confidential employee assistance programme operated by an external provider that offers support, advice and counselling.