The WRC recommended that a catering company clarify an assistant catering manager’s duties, update its dignity at work policy and train managers after her bullying complaint. The recommendation under section 13 of the Industrial Relations Act 1969 was dated 2 October 2023.
The worker said she felt unsupported and raised concerns about how the company investigated her complaint. The company said it had handled the matter properly. The adjudicator was satisfied that the company had broadly followed its existing policy, though the investigation report acknowledged shortcomings. The adjudicator noted that mediation had addressed some concerns and that the manager named in the dispute had left the business.
The recommendations included discussions between the worker and her acting line manager to agree her duties, an updated policy circulated to staff, and training for people managers and senior managers in complaint resolution and workplace investigations. The company was also asked to keep a record of those trained.