Chief Executive message

November 2024 - It won't be often I start this message on the sofa of the Graham Norton Show

It won't be often I start this message on the sofa of the Graham Norton Show, but I'm going to make an exception in order to talk about how we make work safe.

Whether you watch the show; have read any of the newspaper stories and columns about a recent episode, or watched clips on social media - you may know it has found itself at the centre of a conversation about equality and safety.

During an episode towards the end of last month, Hollywood stars shared anecdotes about being trained in self-defence for acting roles - with the male guests snorting at the apparent ridiculousness of learning how to use your phone as a makeshift weapon, if attacked.

The lone woman on the sofa, Oscar-nominated actor Saoirse Ronan, had to take a couple of runs at being heard - amid much hooting and thigh-slapping from her colleagues - but, when she did, she made it count.

"That's what girls have to think about all the time," she told them.

Her co-stars mumbled in embarrassment; found interesting, new things to look at on their shoes - and the show quickly moved on, but Ronan's comments certainly struck a chord with many of the women in the studio and watching at home, including me.

We might not be in showbusiness, but I think the exchange was one of those moments that stops you in your tracks and makes you think.

No matter what your place is in the council family - or how, fair, safe and happy you might believe or know your own workplace to be - the reality is we are not, and cannot expect to be, immune to problems that are long standing and deep rooted in the society we are part of and in the communities we serve.

So, if you feel like sexual harassment isn't an issue at your work; please understand that we all have to be vigilant that workplaces are safe and that everyone feels safe in them.

A new update to the Worker Protection Act, which the council is fully embracing through its Bullying and Harassment policies, means it is no longer good enough, if it ever was, to deal with problems only when they arise or when they are reported.

In law, we all have a duty to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in our workplaces.

That's why we are rolling out new guidance for managers - and GOLD e-learning resources for everyone.

We'll include training on preventing sexual harassment in our induction programme and appoint volunteer contacts to support staff.

Our Equally Safe at Work survey will help us gain a better insight into the culture and level of understanding, attitudes and experiences of workplace sexual harassment in the organisation.

We'll act on the results - and we'll talk to staff about what we find.

I want this to be really clear.

Sexual harassment is a form of violence at work. It is a key driver for inequality in the workplace for women - and the council will take a zero-tolerance approach to it. I hope you understand why I feel so passionately that this responsibility is one we must all take seriously and act on.

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