Independent Inquiry
Overview
In 2022, an independent inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying within TSSA, relating to TSSA officials and others employed by the union, was established. The inquiry was led by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC.
The report was delivered and published on 8 February 2023 and immediately fully accepted by the union's Executive Committee.
Since then, TSSA has executed numerous changes related to these recommendations but accepts that there is more to do in the months ahead.
This page provides an overview of Helena Kennedy and Hazel Conley's reports, including updates and background information.
Kennedy Report
Inquiry Updates
All newsSupport
Confidential support line and online service
A dedicated support line for people who are seeking support and information in relation to sexual harassment or bullying is available.
The support line is provided by an independent charity, the Survivors Trust. The service is free, confidential and entirely independent.
Freephone: 0808 801 0754 (this number will not show up on bills)
Email: helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org
The line is open during the hours below. If the line is busy and out of hours, a secure and confidential voicemail service allows callers to leave messages and request a callback. Calls are returned at the start of the next shift. The email service operates during the same hours as the phone line.
Monday- Thursday: 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-5.30pm & 6pm-8pm
Friday: 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday: 10am-1pm
Sunday: 5pm-8pm
Support offered
The helpline provides callers with emotional support and information relating to the circumstances and experiences they share from fully trained and supported call handlers.
Who is the support line for?
Callers may be victims, alleged perpetrators, family members, friends or colleagues of someone who has been victimised.
Confidentiality
The Survivors Trust policy and practice is to maintain confidentiality at all times. Callers can use the service with confidence that their identity will not be revealed, nor any information shared which may identify them.
The only exception is if there is a serious concern either for the caller themselves or for someone at risk. In any situation where a safeguarding concern arises, call handlers will seek to gain the caller's permission to contact relevant external agencies to protect the caller's safety and any others deemed to be at immediate risk.
Inquiry Process
An independent inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying within TSSA, relating to TSSA officials and others employed by the union, is being conducted.
The inquiry was established after allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying within TSSA were made in May 2022.
It is right and proper that this is an external and independent process. TSSA recognises that there should be no tolerance of sexual harassment, bullying or discrimination in any workplace, including in our own. TSSA established the inquiry following advice from the TUC regarding independent investigators and their expectations in line with TUC rules and processes.
TSSA is a full and willing participant in the inquiry. The inquiry is entirely independent of TSSA and the TUC.
On this page, you will find:
- terms of reference
- contact details on how to get in touch with the inquiry team
- who is leading the inquiry
- timeline
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- updates
Chair of the Inquiry
The inquiry is wholly independent and is led by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC and managed day to day by her associate Laura Harrison.
Terms of Reference
Below are the terms of reference as set out by the inquiry team.
Objectives
To investigate and report on the allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying within TSSA, relating to TSSA officials and others employed by the union, reported within the Reel News video and alleged in other media coverage.
To examine the nature of settlement agreements used within the union with particular reference to their use in relation to sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying allegations.
To assess the effectiveness of actions taken by TSSA in response to any identified reports of sexual harassment and/or sexual assault, discrimination and bullying.
To assess TSSA policies and procedures relating to sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying and the manner in which these have been implemented.
To assess processes in place to prevent workplace sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying:
- training provided to managers and other relevant staff.
- the mechanisms for raising complaints relating to sexual harassment and levels of confidence in these mechanisms by those covered by the policies.
- the use of non-disclosure agreements when addressing complaints of sexual harassment.
To consider the steps taken to ensure that those reporting sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying are supported and not victimised during or after the process.
To look at the wider issue of the culture of the union, particularly insofar as it is experienced by women.
To make recommendations for improvement on the above.
Contributing to the Inquiry
As part of the information-gathering stage, TSSA staff, officials and members were invited to contact the Chair of the Inquiry, Baroness Helena Kennedy KC with any information which may be of assistance in the conduct of this inquiry. Baroness Kennedy was also open to receiving reports from women and women’s groups in the wider trade union movement.
Inquiry timeline
Helena Kennedy KC was commissioned over the summer of 2022, and the Inquiry was launched publicly in September 2022. In January 2023 the information-gathering stage of the inquiry ended.
The report was delivered and published in February 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
The inquiry was established after allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying within TSSA were made in May 2022.
TSSA is a full and willing participant in the inquiry. TSSA established the investigation following support from the TUC in May 2022.
The Inquiry is being led by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC.
Evidence gathering, consideration of evidence and reporting will be conducted entirely independently of TSSA by Baroness Kennedy. The Inquiry will rely upon TSSA staff for access to staff and members, e.g to promote the Inquiry through TSSA channels. Any related communications will be provided by the Inquiry for distribution by TSSA and will not be edited or changed by TSSA.
Baroness Kennedy was commissioned to undertake this work over the summer and it is underway now.
Anyone can contact the Inquiry with any information which may be of assistance in the conduct of this inquiry, both from the TSSA and wider movement. Contact can be made by email to: info@helenakennedy.co.uk
Baroness Kennedy will not name any individuals who have provided information other than with their express agreement.
Yes
The scope of the inquiry is covered in the Terms of Reference (above)
The Inquiry aims to report on findings before the end of 2022, although this is somewhat dependent on the volume of evidence that is received.
Yes, this request can be made and discussed with the Inquiry.
The Inquiry will publish findings and recommendations.
TSSA is committed to receiving the report findings and recommendations and TSSA's Executive Committee will carefully consider the best way of implementing them.
TSSA is meeting the cost of the inquiry. The final cost will be known once the inquiry has finished.
The TUC has no ongoing involvement. The Inquiry is entirely independent.
No membership data is being transferred from TSSA to the Inquiry team. Communications are being sent out by TSSA to the union’s members to inform them of the inquiry. Anyone who gets in touch with the inquiry team will have their wishes respected regarding disclosure of any information. TSSA privacy policy is available here.