The Prime Minister’s Office, through the Taskforce for the Preparation of Guidelines for Handling Workplace Harassment in the Civil Service, has completed the initial draft of its sexual harassment guidelines.

This was shared by Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof at the Second Meeting of the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) Session yesterday.

The minister was responding to a question from LegCo member Yang Berhormat Pengiran Haji Isa bin Pengiran Haji Aliuddin on the progress of the guidelines.

He shared that the process involved focus group workshops, discussions at the Permanent Secretaries Forum, and a pilot study from January 28 to May 19 this year, which tested the guidelines in relevant ministries.

“Overall, according to the feedback from the agencies concerned, the guidelines were well received,” the minister said. However, he explained that the guidelines still require further communication to avoid any misunderstandings before they are issued this year. In response to a separate query on workplace bullying, the minister shared that according to the Public Service Department (JPA), 22 cases have been recorded in the category of environmental or work environment issues over the past five years.

He explained that assistance and support are provided for officers and staff who experience stress due to workplace bullying through counselling services at the JPA, which can be accessed via walk-in, self-referral, or referral from their ministry.

(News & pic source: Borneo Bulletin)