Introduction
Beat SCAD is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone involved with the charity. Whether someone is a volunteer, trustee, supporter, or working partner, we believe all individuals have the right to be treated with dignity and free from bullying or harassment of any kind.
This policy outlines our commitment to preventing bullying and harassment and explains how concerns will be handled in a fair, timely, and confidential manner.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Protect anyone involved with Beat SCAD from bullying and harassment.
- Promote a culture of respect, inclusion, and professionalism.
- Ensure concerns are addressed promptly, proportionately, and sensitively.
- Clarify the procedures for reporting and responding to incidents.
- Support individuals in raising concerns without fear of reprisal.
All concerns will, as far as possible, be treated confidentially and with care for the well-being of everyone involved.
Scope
This policy applies to trustees, volunteers, supporters, event participants, and any other individuals representing or working with Beat SCAD. It is to be brought to their attention on joining or starting work with the charity and made readily available to anyone who may wish to read it.
It covers all forms of bullying and harassment, whether verbal, physical, written, or online, and applies to all settings, including events, meetings, communications, and digital spaces.
We expect partner organisations to have the same robust approach in tackling harassment and bullying. We will not accept anyone being harassed or bullied by a partner, beneficiary or member of the public and will take appropriate action in such circumstances.
Bullying and harassment
Bullying and harassment is behaviour that makes someone feel intimidated or offended. Harassment is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.
Examples of bullying or harassing behaviour include:
- Spreading malicious rumours.
- Unfair treatment.
- Picking on or regularly undermining someone.
- Denying someone’s training or promotion opportunities.
Bullying and harassment can happen face-to-face or by letter, email, phone and via social media.
Behaviour that one individual may consider to be acceptable, another may not, so it is important that everyone is respectful of and sensitive to the needs and views of others. However, bullying does not include appropriate criticism of someone’s behaviour or proper performance management.
The law
Bullying itself is not against the law, but harassment is. This is when the unwanted behaviour is related to one of the following: age, sex, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Trustee responsibilities
- The Trustees recognise that:
- There is no place for bullying and harassment within, or by, charities.
- They have a responsibility to lead the charity and create a culture of openness and respect in which harassment and bullying will not be tolerated, and individuals feel confident in reporting any concerns.
- They have a central role to play to ensure the charity has clear policies, and
- Allegations are handled promptly, sensitively, appropriately and in line with employment and other laws.
- They are responsible for ensuring they have processes in place to hear and address any concerns.
- Reporting concerns
Those concerned about bullying or harassment are encouraged to take their concerns directly to the charity or its Trustees whenever this is appropriate.
Concerns raised anonymously will be recorded and any facts available looked in to. However, in doing so we will be mindful that anonymous complaints can sometimes be malicious. Everyone involved in our work, even incidentally, has a right to complain and we will hold anyone accountable but, equally, individuals have a right to be protected from unsubstantiated and, potentially, malicious allegations. Consequently, anyone wishing to raise a concern is strongly encouraged to provide their contact details. This will also allow us to advise them of the outcome.
Serious actual or alleged incidents of bullying or harassment will be promptly reported to the Charity Commission using the serious incident reporting arrangements. Workers and volunteers can also make reports to the Commission.