Formal Guernsey States bullying investigation ruled out

The States is the island's biggest employer with about 5,000 staff

A formal investigation into claims of bullying and harassment within Guernsey States has been ruled out.

In a letter, the Commissioner for Standards for the Channel Islands said she had "given careful consideration" to the matter.

Commissioner Melissa McCullough said it was "not an option that would work best" to tackle the issue.

Ms McCullough said she wanted a survey launched to "get a sense of the magnitude of the problem".

In the letter, written to Shelaine Green, the chair of Women in Public Life, Ms McCullough wrote: "While these issues are very serious, and I share your view that what was expressed could be detrimental to the wellbeing of members and civil servants, the fact that I have received no complaints related to alleged unacceptable behaviour creates a problem when it comes to launching an investigation.

"That problem, in the main, is that neither civil servants nor members can be compelled to provide evidence of this nature.

"It appears to me that, understandably, there may be a hesitancy by both members and civil servants to do so.

"This could be due to fear of the consequences to them professionally and/or personally of speaking up, among other reasons."

'Zero tolerance'

Ms McCullough said she did not think it would be appropriate to "embark on a quest" to find those willing to come forward.

She said "proposed changes" to the code of conduct were expected to be debated soon - which she said included helpful definitions to remind members of the importance of their behaviour towards other members and colleagues.

Also, the commissioner recommended training for members, specifically on inappropriate behaviours.

Ms McCullough said this training would be "useful in promoting an environment with zero tolerance for such behaviours".

She said the States Assembly should be "a place where people feel secure, valued and included and where unacceptable behaviours are not tolerated."

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