Equality and Diversity

Values and behaviours

Our key leadership theme for 2011 was 'Leading People through Change' focussing on Intellectual Property Office values and behaviours. Following extensive consultations on the new values "Delivering for Our Customers, Valuing Our People, Innovating for Success" various initiatives are underway embedding these in the workplace culture.

As part of delivery against the "valuing our people" Value we launched Dignity at work training in conjunction with ACAS. This was also a response to the Civil Service people survey results suggesting we need to do more to promote equality and fair treatment if we are to match the standard set by the upper quartile of high performing civil service organisations.

The ACAS facilitated workshops (90% of staff have so far attended) gave people an opportunity to share experiences and also perceptions of unacceptable behaviour at work. Feedback has been positive - the independence and experience of the ACAS facilitator was particularly well-received - and further workshops for the remaining staff are planned for 2012.

During the year:

• We refreshed anti-harassment and bullying guidance in consultation with staff and the trade unions (PCS, Prospect). This encouraged people to follow informal processes, with support from Harassment Contact Officers (HCOs) among others.
• We added new people to the network of 10 trained HCOs which are spread throughout the business and during 2011 several received mediation training.

Also during the year, the HCOs undertook various promotional activities and held lunch-time events as part of national anti-bullying week (14-18 November).

Next: Staff profile data