Labour Court recommends renewed ESB process over bullying investigation complaint

The Labour Court recommended that ESB and Manufacturing, Science, Finance begin a central meeting within four weeks to address complaints about the handling of a bullying and harassment investigation. The recommendation was dated 15 February 2001. The union said witnesses had not been interviewed and sought an appeal process for a worker’s complaint. ESB argued that the agreed internal procedures had not been completed and said its policies addressed harassment complaints. The Court dealt only with the preliminary procedural issue and did not investigate the allegation that ESB had failed to conduct a proper investigation. It recommended that the issues be identified clearly, that the process proceed without undue delay, and that the Court be kept informed of progress and the final outcome.