See answers to previous information requests

Please can you provide us with the following information about what steps your council as an employer takes to be proactive and systematic in preventing and tackling sexual harassment at work.

1. Does your council have a policy on sexual harassment in the workplace?
a) Yes - Please attach a copy of this policy or a copy of a document that includes a policy and procedures on this.
b) No – Please explain why?

2. If you answered yes to question 1, are local authority-maintained schools required to adhere to the same policy?
a) Yes
b) No

3. Does your council have training initiatives in place to address and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace?
a) Yes - Is the training provided:
i. To all employees? Yes/No
ii. To managers on how to support staff who have reported workplace sexual harassment? Yes/No
b) No – Please explain why.

4. If you answered yes to question 2:
a) Is the training delivered:
i. Online
ii. In person
iii. Hybrid
b) Please provide details about who delivers the training on sexual harassment.

5. For 2023, 2024 and 2025 calendar years, please provide the number of recorded formal and informal complaints made about sexual harassment allegedly perpetrated by council employees against other employees broken down by:
a) Gender of claimant and alleged perpetrator
b) The nature of the allegations for example:
i. Unwelcome verbal/banter of a sexual nature
ii. Unwelcome physical advances of a sexual nature.
iii. Sexual assault
c) The number of formal and informal complaints that led to the perpetrator being:
i. Given a warning.
ii. Suspended
iii. Dismissed
iv. Other – please state.
d) The number of formal and informal complaints that to your knowledge have been referred to:
i. The police for criminal investigation?
ii. The appropriate professional registration body. e, g Social Work England?

Please can you provide us with the following information about what steps your council as an employer takes to be proactive and systematic in preventing and tackling sexual harassment at work.

1. Does your council have a policy on sexual harassment in the workplace?
a) Yes - Please attach a copy of this policy or a copy of a document that includes a policy and procedures on this.
b) No – Please explain why?
Wokingham Borough Council has a formal policy addressing sexual harassment in the workplace. This is covered under the Dignity at Work policy and further detailed in the 'Grievance, Bullying & Harassment – Guide for Managers'. The guidance outlines what constitutes sexual harassment, provides examples of unacceptable behaviour, explains how to raise and investigate complaints, and describes possible disciplinary actions. All staff can access these documents via the HR Hub.
Policy attached separately.

2. If you answered yes to question 1, are local authority-maintained schools required to adhere to the same policy?
No. Local authority-maintained schools in Wokingham are not explicitly required to adopt the council’s Dignity at Work or sexual harassment policies. Instead, maintained schools are generally expected to have their own policies that meet statutory requirements for safeguarding and staff conduct. Schools may choose to adopt the council’s model policies, but this is not mandated.

3. Does your council have training initiatives in place to address and prevent sexual harassment in the workplace?
a) Yes - Is the training provided:
i. To all employees? Yes/No
ii. To managers on how to support staff who have reported workplace sexual harassment? Yes/No
b) No – Please explain why.
Yes, Wokingham Borough Council requires all managers and employees to complete e-learning on bullying and harassment, which specifically includes sexual harassment. This training is delivered via the 'My Learning' platform and forms part of the Council’s preventative approach. The initiative is referenced in the Grievance, Bullying & Harassment – Guide for Managers, which also highlights the importance of awareness, early intervention, and clear routes for raising concerns.

4. If you answered yes to question 2:
a) Is the training delivered:
i. Online
ii. In person
iii. Hybrid
b) Please provide details about who delivers the training on sexual harassment.
N/A

5. For 2023, 2024 and 2025 calendar years, please provide the number of recorded formal and informal complaints made about sexual harassment allegedly perpetrated by council employees against other employees broken down by:
a) Gender of claimant and alleged perpetrator
b) The nature of the allegations for example:
i. Unwelcome verbal/banter of a sexual nature
ii. Unwelcome physical advances of a sexual nature.
iii. Sexual assault
c) The number of formal and informal complaints that led to the perpetrator being:
i. Given a warning.
ii. Suspended
iii. Dismissed
iv. Other – please state.
d) The number of formal and informal complaints that to your knowledge have been referred to:
i. The police for criminal investigation?
ii. The appropriate professional registration body. e, g Social Work England?
a) Female claimant, male alleged perpetrator
b) Unwelcome verbal/banter of a sexual nature
c) Dismissed – 1 formal complaint
d) NA