Employment Law - Preventing Bullying and Harassment and Protecting Dignity in the Workplace

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The Programme

A new Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work has been in place since latter 2020. The aim of the Employment Law - Preventing Bullying and Harassment and Protecting Dignity in the Workplace workshop is to inform HRM and line managers as to how harassment and bullying at work are defined and to set out the procedures by which bullying at work should be managed and the preventative measures and actions that should be taken. The formal process which should be implemented will also be outlined and the role of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) will be clearly explained.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this programme participants will have:

• Developed a knowledge and understanding of key aspects of the law and the Code of Practice relating to preventing bullying and harassment and protecting dignity in the workplace;
• An understanding of what constitutes bullying and harassment;
• An appreciation of the essentials elements in workplace procedures and practices designed to prevent bullying and harassment and to deal effectively with matters where the rights of employees or others are allegedly compromised;
• An understanding of the role of the Courts and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) and Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in relation to addressing allegations of bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Course Content

During the Employment Law - Preventing Bullying and Harassment and Protecting Dignity in the Workplace workshop, the focus will be on:

• Defining bullying and harassment - looking at legislation and the new Code of Practice;
• Understanding an employer’s duty of care including statutory duty;
• Analysing vicarious liability - when is an employer liable for the conduct of its employees?;
• Considering the attitude of the Courts to bullying and harassment in the workplace – recent case law;
• Auditing workplace policies and procedures;
• Considering preventative and reconciliatory best practice and tools for compliance.

Course Leader

This workshop will be delivered by Sharon Dillon-Lyons BL.  Sharon has extensive experience of advising and representing employers on all aspects of employment law. Sharon is also an Associate Specialist of the Institute of Public Administration's HRM Training & Consultancy Unit.