Choose Respect
The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) marks Anti-Bullying Week in schools this week and we know that many colleagues will be getting involved in campaigns supporting their local schools and communities.
The effects of bullying can have a massive impact on individuals, whether it occurs in schools, at college, university, at work or in the wider community. This is why it is crucial to raise awareness of bullying and to mark Anti-Bullying Week in the workplace.
The theme of this year’s campaign is ‘Choose Respect’, which we think is both fitting and a great opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to creating and maintaining an inclusive working environment for all colleagues.
Our aim is for everyone to be able to:
- Bring their ‘whole selves’ to work so that they can achieve their full potential
- Be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, cultural background, religion or other characteristics
- Feel valued and value the differences and contributions of others
- Feel comfortable raising any concerns or issues they have about bullying and harassment to the appropriate person or people
- Feel able to challenge unacceptable behaviour in a way which is consistent with our values.
Bullying and harassment
Royal Mail expects all colleagues to follow our high standards and not tolerate any incidents of bullying and harassment.
Bullying is intimidation that undermines the competence, effectiveness, confidence and integrity of someone. A bully misuses their power, position or knowledge to criticise, humiliate or otherwise harm someone.
Harassment can be defined as unwanted conduct with the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. Examples include:
- Suggestive remarks or gestures
- Display of pictures with sexual or racial undertones
- Demeaning or ridiculing someone
- Inappropriate use of social media
- Jokes and banter of a derogatory nature
- Unwelcome touching
- Any sexual advances
This includes behaviour that employees find offensive even if it’s not directed at them specifically. Any colleague who is found to have committed an act of discrimination or harassment will be subject to conduct action, which could result in dismissal.
Getting help
Royal Mail Group offers support on any concerns relating to bullying and harassment via our confidential bullying and harassment helpline 0800 587 4777.
Support is also available via the CWU bullying and harassment helpline 0800 107 1909 and our Feeling First Class colleague assistance helpline 0345 266 5060.
If you want to know more, ask your manager for a copy of the equality and fairness policy available in the Policy and Information section on PSP.
Managers can obtain advice by visiting https://www.psp.royalmailgroup.com/ or calling the HR Services advice centre on 0345 606 0603.
Parcelforce Worldwide managers should call 0845 604 2787 / 5456 / 4747.
