Nottingham CityCare’s pledge to its workforce on sexual safety in the workplace

Nottingham CityCare Partnership, the largest provider of NHS community services in Nottingham has signed up to the NHS sexual safety in healthcare charter.

The charter states CityCare’s commitment to protecting staff from unwanted, inappropriate or harmful sexual behaviour in the workplace.

Organisations across the healthcare system are working to tackle unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviour at work.

The charter has been formally signed by Chief Executive Lou Bainbridge and Chair Sherry Malik.

Chief Executive Lou Bainbridge said: “Everyone who works, trains, volunteers and learns at CityCare has the right to be safe and feel supported at work.

“Today we are committing to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual conduct towards our workforce and must act if we witness these behaviours.”

Ten principles and actions in the charter state that CityCare will:

• Actively work to eradicate sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace
• Promote a culture that fosters openness and transparency, and does not tolerate unwanted, harmful and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours
• Take an intersectional approach to the sexual safety of our workforce, recognising certain groups will experience sexual harassment and abuse at a disproportionate rate
• Provide appropriate support for those in our workforce who experience unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours
• Clearly communicate standards of behaviour. This includes expected action for those who witness inappropriate, unwanted and/or harmful sexual behaviour
• Ensure appropriate, specific, and clear policies are in place. These will include appropriate and timely action against alleged perpetrators
• Ensure appropriate, specific, and clear training is in place
• Ensure appropriate reporting mechanisms are in place for those experiencing these behaviours
• Take all reports seriously and appropriate and timely action will be taken in all cases
• Capture and share data on prevalence and staff experience transparently.

These commitments will apply equally to everyone at CityCare and the workforce is being encouraged to demonstrate its support by also signing up to the charter.