NIPSA has welcomed the response from DAERA senior management following concerns raised by the union regarding the safety and wellbeing of staff in the wake of the recent Fivemiletown cattle cull incident.
After receiving reports from members of abuse, hostility and intimidation, including online harassment, NIPSA formally wrote to the Department seeking assurances on the protection measures and support available to staff carrying out their official duties.
Commenting, Alan Law, a NIPSA senior negotiating official, said:
"NIPSA wishes to make absolutely clear that threats, intimidation, harassment or abuse directed towards staff are entirely unacceptable and inappropriate. Whatever views individuals may hold about departmental decisions, no employee should become the target of personal hostility for simply carrying out their professional responsibilities.
We welcome the clear and robust messages issued by both Deputy Permanent Secretary and Permanent Secretary, which rightly condemn the abuse directed at staff and reaffirm the Department's commitment to protecting employee safety and wellbeing.
We also welcome the practical measures that have been introduced, including enhanced security arrangements, ongoing risk assessments, monitoring of threats and additional support and guidance for staff and managers."
NIPSA has acknowledged management's commitment to ongoing engagement with staff representatives and will continue to work with DAERA management to ensure that appropriate safeguards remain in place.
The union is encouraging any member experiencing threats, intimidation or harassment to report concerns through the appropriate channels and to seek support from their local NIPSA representative.