Respect & Dignity at Work

Respect and Dignity

Respect & Dignity in Our Work

Cara Junior School is committed to creating, maintaining and constantly striving to enhance a positive work environment where work is done in an atmosphere of respect, collaboration, openness and equality.

Behaviour which is not nice, including adult bullying and harassment in the workplace, is not tolerated. The school recognises that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

Commitment to Dignity and Respect

The policy states that if staff are not experiencing dignity and respect in communication and professional relationships, management and the school community will seek to intervene appropriately.

The school will use accepted procedures to investigate and deal with allegations of harassment, bullying and other inappropriate behaviour.

Definition of Workplace Bullying

The policy adopts the definition of adult bullying set out by the Task Force. Workplace bullying is repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others at the place of work or in the course of employment.

Isolated incidents of the behaviour described in the policy may be an affront to dignity at work, but a once-off incident is not considered bullying.

Definition of Harassment

The policy describes harassment as unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for the person.

A Positive Work Environment

Cara Junior School aims to create a positive workplace through clear expectations, respectful communication and a shared commitment to making the school a good place to work.

Behaviours That May Be a Problem

The policy recognises that adult bullying and harassment can create serious workplace problems if they occur. Such behaviours can cause pain and suffering and reduce the effectiveness of the school community.

• Verbal abuse, insults or undermining remarks.
• Excessive monitoring of work.
• Withholding work-related information.
• Exclusion with negative consequences.

How Concerns Are Handled

Where bullying or harassment occurs, the school will deal with it through the agreed procedure. Supportive and effective procedures are in place to address and investigate allegations.

The policy notes that procedures will focus on the earliest possible resolution and will proceed as necessary from informal to formal stages, with a stress on confidentiality.

Duty of Care

Members of the Cara Junior School community have a duty of care to themselves and each other. Management has a duty of care towards employees, and employees have a duty of care towards one another.

The policy states that undermining behaviour among colleagues is taken seriously, whether such behaviour is against an employee of the school by another person or otherwise.

Policy Background

The policy has been formulated in light of background documents including INTO documents on supporting each other and working together, DES Circular 40/97, and employment equality legislation and harassment guidance.

Sign-off and Review

The uploaded document shows the policy signed by Seamus Feehan, Chairperson of the Board of Management, and Colette Butler, Principal. It is dated 11 May 2022, with review noted as May 2025.