Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

CIPDEmployment lawThe HR profession

Christine Pratt should face CIPD investigation, say HR professionals

by Louisa Peacock 26 Feb 2010
by Louisa Peacock 26 Feb 2010

Pressure is growing on the CIPD to investigate charity boss Christine Pratt after her decision to go public about alleged bullying accusations made by Number 10 staff.

Numerous HR professionals contacted by Personnel Today have protested at Pratt’s apparent breach of confidentiality, claiming that she should have her Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) fellow status and membership revoked if she is found guilty of contravening the institute’s code of conduct.

The code specifies that members should demonstrate appropriate behaviour in business and personal activities, and “must respect legitimate needs and requirements for confidentiality”.

But last week, the head of the National Bullying Helpline (pictured left) claimed that “three or four” Downing Street staff had contacted her charity with allegations of bullying at the prime minister’s office.

A spokesman for the CIPD said the body took code of conduct matters “very seriously”, but refused to comment further as any investigative process would remain confidential.

Wendy Allardes, HR director at Cumbria Newspapers Group, told Personnel Today: “Confidentiality is one of the cornerstones of our profession, and what appears to be a deliberate breach of this should be followed up. Like the General Medical Council, the CIPD should investigate this and ‘strike [Pratt] off’ if she is found to be guilty.”

Eric Sandison, head of HR at construction firm Chap Group, agreed: “I would certainly advocate, not only her fellow status, but her CIPD membership being removed.” He added: “We have a difficult enough task portraying our profession without allowing imposters like this to carry on with impunity.”

Chartered fellow members also raised alarms that should the CIPD fail to act, it would damage the profession’s reputation.

Keith Luxon, a CIPD fellow and HR director at water management firm Veolia Water, said: “If professional chartered status is to mean anything, then there needs to be some sanction against members who breach the CIPD’s professional code.”

But he added: “Unfortunately, I expect the CIPD to do little about this. They will issue a holding statement and ‘monitor’ progress, but I fear they do not see their role as that of upholding professional standards.”

Last week, the Charity Commission said it would probe the National Bullying Helpline after it received 160 complaints about Pratt’s conduct. Four of the charity’s patrons, including workplace stress expert Cary Cooper, quit in protest at what they saw as Pratt’s breach of confidentiality towards callers.

A CIPD spokesman said: “We cannot comment on whether we will investigate this case. We do have a code of conduct and we take it very seriously. If people wish to complain, they are welcome to do so.”

Pratt insisted to Personnel Today that she did not breach confidentiality because she did not identify callers’ names or details of what they said.

Avatar
Louisa Peacock

previous post
Fujitsu workers call off strikes following mediation with Acas
next post
CIPD membership level changes could raise concerns among less experienced HR workers

You may also like

Kellogg, Finnair, Pladis make key HR appointments: Movers...

2 Jun 2023

One in five HR professionals considering changing jobs

31 May 2023

Examiner was worker, not self-employed, finds tribunal

30 May 2023

Holiday pay changes: how entitlement will be simplified

26 May 2023

Bank holidays: six things employers need to know

26 May 2023

Millions leave careers due to lack of flexibility

25 May 2023

New immigration system not boosting UK worker recruitment

23 May 2023

CBI appoints chief people officer after misconduct allegations

16 May 2023

Fertility: One-fifth have considered leaving work

15 May 2023

Non-compete clauses and proposed limits on their duration

12 May 2023

  • The HR Bundle: Your one-stop guide to building a successful global HR Department PROMOTED | Get your hands on Deel’s free HR bundle...Read more
  • The Benefits of an Employee Assistance Programme PROMOTED | EAPs support employees in a range of ways...Read more
  • Intergenerational working and how to manage up and down the generations PROMOTED | The benefits and challenges of intergenerational workplaces...Read more
  • Bereavement in the workplace: How training can help HR get it right PROMOTED | HR professionals play an essential role...Read more
  • UK workforce mental wellbeing needs PROMOTED | The mental wellbeing support employers are providing misses the mark...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2023

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2023 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+