Number 10 staff and the cabinet have been harassed and harassed for years, according to a member of the Whitehall union.
The allegation comes after Sue Gray’s report on the Partygate scandal reveals that cleaners and security guards have been subjected to “lack of respect and mistreatment” and yet feel unable to raise [this] right ”with the authorities.
A cabinet member of the Public Service and Trade Union (PCS) said: “The prime minister’s apology is too small, too late. At number 10, there has been a culture of harassment, harassment and sexism for many years.
The incidents recalled to the Guardian by employees include sexually degrading comments made by senior government officials about women employees to union members; and swearing and drinking alcohol in front of the wipers.
In a report, Gray said: “I found that some employees witnessed or were subjected to behavior at work that they felt concerned about, but sometimes felt incapable of educating properly.
“I was aware of many examples of lack of respect and mistreatment of security and cleaning staff.
“It was unacceptable. I am reassured to see that steps have been taken since then to introduce more easily accessible means of raising concerns electronically, in person or online, including directly with the Permanent Secretary in №10.
“I hope that this will really build a culture that welcomes and creates opportunities for challenge and speaking at all levels.”
Addressing the deputies in the Municipality, Boris Johnson apologized to the security and cleaning officers for their “horrible” attitude.
He insisted he had “no knowledge” of such an attitude, saying he was “surprised and disappointed” to hear about them.
According to the union member, the bad attitude towards the staff was obvious during the premiership of his predecessor and continued under Johnson.
“It was happening behind Theresa May’s back before he took office, but he did nothing to deal with it. His empty words will not be a consolation to the hard-working cleaners and security guards under his leadership, “they said.
Meanwhile, a union representing cleaners in other government departments said it was “not at all surprised” by the revelations in Gray’s report.
“We have a lot of members working as cleaners and security guards, and these workers face disrespect every day in offices in London, not just on Downing Street,” said Petros Elijah, secretary general of the United Voices of the World (UVW). . “Most of the cleaners and security guards there are ethnic minority workers, blacks, browns and migrants who are disproportionately affected by poor working conditions and racial inequalities.
UVW members include Justice Ministry janitors who staged an action during the pandemic after the union repeatedly expressed concerns about workers’ safety, lack of PPE and failure to promise full pay for sick leave to those who may have to pay. self-insulate.
A cabinet spokesman said: “We do not tolerate harassment, harassment or discrimination in any form against anyone in our workplace, whether staff or contractors.
“Our latest data show that reported incidents in the civil service have fallen to their lowest recorded level, with a large increase in the number of people who believe that appropriate action has been taken, but we know that there is still work to be done. is over.
“The Diversity and Inclusion Strategy builds on the progress made in recent years, setting out clear and concrete actions for departments, including regular reviews of progress and campaigns in government that support staff in expressing concerns.”
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