Important date of 28 April 2022, for non-recent cases of bullying and harassment

It has been a year since Alison Stanley wrote her 18 month independent review of the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme (ICGS), and 28 of her 33 recommendations have now been implemented. This is in large part due to the hard work of the ICGS team. We have created the new ICGS Hub, we are recruiting more investigators, and we have made the complaints process more streamlined and accessible.

An important recommendation implemented in April 2021 was the agreed time limit for non-recent cases of bullying and harassment. Up until 28 April 2022, there will be no time limit on lodging non-recent cases (this has applied since non-recent cases were eligible under the scheme in October 2019). This has ensured that long-standing complaints that had not previously been addressed, such as the case of John Bercow, could be investigated.

However, as agreed in both Houses, from 28 April 2022, there will be a time limit of one year from when the bullying and harassment incident (or the latest of those incidents) happened. This is to ensure investigations are conducted in a timely manner, and that evidence can be collected efficiently. After the ICGS opened to non-recent complaints, colleagues did come forward to have their non-recent complaints addressed through the ICGS. Almost three years later, this has naturally tapered off. In the past six months, all complaints were about recent experiences.

It is extremely important that, if you want to make a complaint concerning bullying and harassment that happened more than one year ago, you should phone the helpline before 28 April 2022.

For anyone experiencing sexual misconduct, it can take a long time to come to process that behaviour, and so there will continue to be no time limit placed on complaints of sexual misconduct.

These changes do not apply in respect of complaints about the behaviour of members of the House of Lords or their staff. These complaints are dealt with under the Lords Code of Conduct, which states that complaints must usually be made within six years of the conduct complained of.

You can call the independent ICGS helpline anonymously and as many times as you need, to ask for advice and information. You can also make a formal complaint about behaviour that you have experienced. Your calls will be treated confidentially and empathetically. For more information please visit the ICGS hub. Former members of the parliamentary community can visit the UK Parliament website for further information.

The helpline is there for all of us. Please use it.

Jo Willows,

ICGS Director

Mindfulness Course for Members

New six-week online mindfulness course for Members starts next Wednesday 23 February, 8.30-9.30am.

Sessions will take place every Wednesday 8.30-9.30am for six weeks (from Wednesday 23 February to Wednesday 30 March).

The course will be delivered by Awaris, leading mindfulness training provider and sessions will take place online via Zoom.

To book your place email Lydia Smith on PHWS@parliament.uk

Time to Talk Day 2022

To mark Time to Talk day this year, we will be running a series of events from Thursday 3 February. Over five days we will hear from colleagues across Parliament, who will share their experience of living with a mental health problem.

Join our Time to Talk Day campaign and let’s start talking about mental health:

Thursday 3: Anxiety. Online live session, 10.30-11am
Friday 4: Burnout. Blog Post
Monday 7: Depression. Online live session, 10.30-11am and Blog Post.
Tuesday 8: Bulimia. Online live session,10.30-11am
Wednesday 9: Having conversations about mental health. Online live session, 10.30-11am.

To sign-up email PHWS@parliament.uk or visit the H&W Learning Hub.

If you are on the Estate tomorrow (Thursday 3 February 2022), come and visit our Wellbeing Stall in Portcullis House Atrium to find out more about the wellbeing services available

WWG – Talk from Hope Virgo on Eating Disorders

Thursday 20^th January at 2pm

Hope Virgo is an Author, Founder of #DumpThe Scales Campaign and a multi award winning international leading advocate for people with eating disorders as well as being a recognised media spokesperson, having appeared on various platforms including BBC Newsnight, Victoria Derbyshire, Good Morning Britain, Sky News and BBC News.

For four years, Hope managed to keep her eating disorder hidden, keeping dark secrets from friends and family. But then, on 17th November 2007, Hope’s world changed forever. She was admitted to a mental health hospital. Her skin was yellowing, her heart was failing, she was barely recognizable. Forced to leave her family and friends, the hospital became her home. Over the next year, at her lowest ebb, Hope faced the biggest challenge of her life. She had to find the courage to beat her anorexia.

In today’s session you will hear a harrowing but inspiring story of recovery, get practical advice on how to manage your wellbeing and know how to talk to those around you who may be impacted by eating disorders.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopevirgo_/?hl=en

To register for this event, please email mpsstaff-wwg@parliament.uk

Working Mind Six Week Online Mindfulness Course – starts 20 January

As we approach the new year, many of us will be looking ahead at the next 12 months, setting new year’s resolutions, and vowing to make positive changes in our lives. This new year, why not resolve to be more mindful for 2022?

Mindfulness promotes resilience and wellbeing. It can help us to manage change and uncertainty, which will be particularly valuable as we navigate the unknowns of the new year.

We invite you to take part in the Working Mind six-week mindfulness course, open to members’ staff of either House. Sessions will take place every Thursday 12-1pm from 20 January to 24 February. Book your place via ACTor email PHWS@parliament.uk

The six-week course is an opportunity to experience the principles and practices of mindfulness, and explore how mindfulness can help you thrive inside and outside of the workplace. The course will be delivered by Awaris and will take place online via Zoom.

Not sure if mindfulness is for you? A Mindfulness Taster session will take place on Wednesday 12 January, 9.30-10am. This workshop will introduce you to mindfulness as a way of reclaiming your attention and developing greater focus, clarity and wellbeing. It is suitable both as a stand-alone session, and as a taster for those interested in signing up for one of our longer mindfulness courses. Book your place.

For further details about the mindfulness course, please email PHWS@parliament.uk

Laughter Workshop – Monday 17 January

Laugh away the January Blues with a laughter workshop, hosted by Lotte Mikkelsen.

You have probably heard the saying that “laughter is the best medicine” – but its more than an old wives tale – laughing can really benefit your health and wellbeing. By laughing we release natural feel-good chemicals into our body, which lower our stress levels and put us in a much more positive frame of mind.

Join us for a laughter workshop on Monday 17 January, 12-12.30pm. You are guaranteed to leave the session feeling reenergised and ready to take on Blue Monday with a smile! Book your place on the H&W learning hub or email PHWS@parliament.uk

The session will be hosted by Lotte Mikklesen, leading laughter yoga expert. Lotte has worked with clients such as Google, Barclays and the NHS, and has also featured several times on ITV

Held In Our Hearts – Pregnancy & Baby Loss

Tuesday 7th December at 2.45pm

Pregnancy and baby loss can have an enormous impact on a family and the ripples of grief can be felt for a lifetime. Being well supported emotionally both at home and in the workplace can help families feel less alone and validate their grief and complex feelings.

Held In Our Hearts have 40 years of experience providing free baby loss counselling and support to bereaved parents. This talk will be presented by Nicola Welsh (CEO) who is bereaved herself and will focus on the impact of loss and good examples of support offered to families returning to work after the loss of their baby.

Please RSVP to mpsstaff-wwg@parliament.uk

The Great Cross-Party Get Together

The Labour and Conservative Women’s Parliamentary Staff Networks invite you to

The Great Cross-Party Get Together – with Kim Leadbeater MP
(aerobics class)
Time: 8:30am – 9:15am
Date: 8 December 2021

Following the covid-19 pandemic and tragic murder of Sir David Amess MP we wanted to do something to bring everyone together in a safe way to spend some light-hearted time together and would be delighted if you could join us.

This aerobics class is open to all MPs, Peers and their staff and we hope you can join in with your team. You’ll be pleased to know that lycra is not compulsory but fancy dress is welcome!

Please sign up via https://forms.gle/JJiogrvnRuuPwHUr9

Men’s Mental Health Day Event – 8 December 2021

*REMINDER*

Health & Wellbeing Learning Hub

To mark the end of Movember and International Men’s Day (19 November), we invite you to join us for a live panel discussion where we will explore the topic of men’s mental health.

Mental health continues to be a taboo subject for men, with many suffering in silence when they experience sadness, loneliness and anxiety.

We will talk to colleagues about the “silent crisis” of men’s mental health and the challenges men face when opening up about their feelings.

We invite you to join the discussion and show your support.

Join us on Wednesday 8 December, 11.30am – 12.30pm. Sign-up here.

No Panic – Understanding Anxiety Disorders

Time: 13:30pm
Date: Wednesday 20th October
Venue: Online

No Panic is a registered charity that helps and supports those living with Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders. No Panic also provides support for the carers of people who suffer from anxiety disorders.

One of the charity No Panic patron’s will be hosting an interactive and engaging talk on the background of No Panic, understanding anxious thoughts and anxiety disorders, chatting through their own lived experience of anxiety disorders and practical ways you can develop your own self-care strategies?