Page 42 - My Clinic Employee Handbook Draft V.1
P. 42
3.4.4 Formal Procedure
If an informal approach is inappropriate or if after the informal stage, the bullying persists, the following formal
procedures will be invoked:
(a) The complainant will make a formal complaint in writing to a MANAGER. The complaint will be confined to
precise details of actual incidents of bullying.
(b) The alleged perpetrator(s) will be notified in writing that an allegation of bullying has been made against
them. They will be given a copy of the complainant's statement and advised that they shall be afforded a fair
opportunity to respond to the allegation(s).
(c) The complaint will be subject to an initial examination by a designated member of management, who can be
considered impartial, with a view to determining an appropriate course of action. An appropriate course of
action at this stage, for example, could be exploring a mediated solution or a view that the issue can be resolved
informally. Should either of these approaches be deemed inappropriate or inconclusive, a formal investigation
of the complaint will take place with a view to determining the facts and the credibility or otherwise of the
allegation(s).
3.4.5 Investigation
The investigation will be conducted by either a designated member or members of management or, if deemed
appropriate, an agreed third party. The investigation will be conducted thoroughly, objectively, with sensitivity,
utmost confidentiality, and with due respect for the rights of both the complainant and the alleged
perpetrator(s).
The investigation will be governed by terms of reference, preferably agreed between the parties in advance.
The investigator(s) will meet with the complainant and alleged perpetrator(s) and any witnesses or relevant
persons on an individual confidential basis with a view to establishing the facts surrounding the allegation(s).
Both the complainant and alleged perpetrator(s) may be accompanied by a work colleague or representative if
so desired.
Every effort will be made to carry out and complete the investigation as quickly as possible and preferably within
an agreed timeframe. On completion of the investigation, the investigator(s) will submit a written report to
management containing the findings of the investigation.
Both parties will be given the opportunity to comment on the findings before management decides upon any
action.
The complainant and the alleged perpetrator(s) will be informed in writing of the findings of the investigation.
3.4.6 Outcome
Should management decide that the complaint is well founded, the alleged perpetrator(s) will be given a formal
interview to determine an appropriate course of action. Such action could, for example, involve counselling
and/or monitoring or progressing the issue through the disciplinary and grievance procedure of the
employment.
If either party is unhappy with the outcome of the investigation, the issue may be processed through the normal
employment relations' mechanisms.
3.4.7 Confidentiality
All individuals involved in the procedures referred to above must maintain confidentiality on the subject.
3.5 EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES POLICY
The Company positively encourages a culture of equality for all, where employees are recruited, developed,
remunerated and promoted on the basis of their skills and suitability for the work performed.
The Company is committed to making full use of the talents and resources of all its employees, and to ensuring
that no employee receives objectively unjustified less favourable treatment on the grounds of their gender, race,
colour, ethnic origin, membership of the travelling community, marital status, family status, disability, religion,
Page 41 of 75
ORC.MYC.DV1