DCP numbers increase to 75
Equal Opportunities Office pleased to announce increase in numbers of designated contact persons.
The equal Opportunities Office is delighted to announce that 12 staff members have taken on the voluntary role of the Designated Contact Person (DCP) for bullying and harassment. The 12 staff members graduated with flying colours after undergoing an intensive two-day course with Equality and Diversity consultant Maire Halpin. The 12 new DCPs, who come from areas such as Great Island Power Station, TOD Inchicore, Customer Contact Centre and ESB Contracts, further resource the existing network of DCPs. This brings the total number of DCPs in ESB to 75.
The role of the DCP is to offer confidential support and advice on the bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy, ‘Respect and Dignity for the Individual in ESB'. The DCP may offer confidential support to staff members who feel they are being bullied or harassed or indeed someone who has been alleged to have bullied or harassed.
The DCPs carry out a very important function and form a major part of our policy for dealing with bullying and harassment cases. Without them the Respect and Dignity policy would not be as successful. Because of its confidential nature, the DCP role is not a highprofile role, but its importance should not be underestimated.
Indeed research carried by the Equal Opportunities Office shows that from 1999 to 2005, some 276 staff members have contacted the DCPs for confidential advice and support. The research also shows 160 staff members were empowered to handle the situation themselves after talking to their local DCP and a further 74 cases were handled locally and solved informally. This represents a success rate of 88% and clearly demonstrates that the work carried out quietly by the DCPs is crucial in ensuring that the policy works and that cases can be dealt with successfully at a local level.
Our policy is to provide a supportive workplace which guarantees the right of all employees to work in an environment which is free from all types of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, and this would probably be a lot more difficult without the voluntary help of all the Designated Contact Persons. For details on the role of the DCP and a list of the contact details, please see the Equal Opportunities Intranet site or contact the Equal Opportunities office on internal ext. 26705 or direct dial 7026705. The advice for anyone who feels they are being bullied or harassed or are not sure of what they can do. Please don't suffer in silence, talk to your local DCP.
