Anyone remember Mark Garnier, the International Trade Minister, who was at the forefront of the current harassment scandal - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41794625 - leading to calls for better systems in place to protect those who work for Members of Parliament, and who, strangely, has managed to keep his job!
The reason I ask is that events seem to have escalated in way that has muddied the waters of worker protection as more politically motivated news is spread by a media frenzy more concerned with bringing down politicians than protecting those who more be victims of abuse.
The last few days have been dominated by Sir Michael Fallon, who, it seems, has been a sleazy sex pest. Charges that should be dealt with, however, the allegations against him, so far, do not relate to behaviour toward his Westminster staff.
Then we have the curious case of Damian Green, who has had two different types of allegations thrown at him this week, the first a fleeting touch of a knee with a 'misinterpreted' text and, now, allegations of pornography on his Westminster computer a few years ago, following the also curious police incident!
Again these charges do not relate to the treatment of his staff.
The danger here is that these stories begin to dilute the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. It is vitally important that this is dealt with as it not only relates to the Westminster bubble but to the wider world as well.
It has been stated, a lot, over the last week or so, that the set up at Westminster is such that staff are employed by the MP who is, effectively, their manager and HR route therefore staff have no one to complain too in the event of harassment. I have heard, countless times, that employees in other companies (like the BBC) have that route available to them.
What commentators need to remember is that there are many small companies throughout the country whose employees are in a similar position. Obviously, as with MPs, the majority try to be good employers but there will always be an unscrupulous element who, if not sexually harassing employees will harass or bully them in other ways.
Sexual harassment is not a rare occurrence with 20% of women in a recent survey saying they had been harassed in the workplace - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/25/two-five-women-have-sexually-harassed-workplace-poll-shows/ - workplace bullying is also a significant issue - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34833261 - it is not just something that happens in the Westminster bubble and, now it has raised it's head in Parliament, lawmakers must take the opportunity to help ALL VICTIMS of harassment and bullying in the workplace.
Yes sexual harassment is wrong in any setting and those who deign to be picked as leaders and lawmakers MUST hold the highest standards of behaviour across all their public and private life. Yet it is essential for the protection of ALL VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT & BULLYING those in Parliament, those elected to represent us, take action on a much wider level.
The reason I ask is that events seem to have escalated in way that has muddied the waters of worker protection as more politically motivated news is spread by a media frenzy more concerned with bringing down politicians than protecting those who more be victims of abuse.
The last few days have been dominated by Sir Michael Fallon, who, it seems, has been a sleazy sex pest. Charges that should be dealt with, however, the allegations against him, so far, do not relate to behaviour toward his Westminster staff.
Then we have the curious case of Damian Green, who has had two different types of allegations thrown at him this week, the first a fleeting touch of a knee with a 'misinterpreted' text and, now, allegations of pornography on his Westminster computer a few years ago, following the also curious police incident!
Again these charges do not relate to the treatment of his staff.
The danger here is that these stories begin to dilute the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace. It is vitally important that this is dealt with as it not only relates to the Westminster bubble but to the wider world as well.
It has been stated, a lot, over the last week or so, that the set up at Westminster is such that staff are employed by the MP who is, effectively, their manager and HR route therefore staff have no one to complain too in the event of harassment. I have heard, countless times, that employees in other companies (like the BBC) have that route available to them.
What commentators need to remember is that there are many small companies throughout the country whose employees are in a similar position. Obviously, as with MPs, the majority try to be good employers but there will always be an unscrupulous element who, if not sexually harassing employees will harass or bully them in other ways.
Sexual harassment is not a rare occurrence with 20% of women in a recent survey saying they had been harassed in the workplace - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/25/two-five-women-have-sexually-harassed-workplace-poll-shows/ - workplace bullying is also a significant issue - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-34833261 - it is not just something that happens in the Westminster bubble and, now it has raised it's head in Parliament, lawmakers must take the opportunity to help ALL VICTIMS of harassment and bullying in the workplace.
Yes sexual harassment is wrong in any setting and those who deign to be picked as leaders and lawmakers MUST hold the highest standards of behaviour across all their public and private life. Yet it is essential for the protection of ALL VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT & BULLYING those in Parliament, those elected to represent us, take action on a much wider level.
