---

Dept for Work and Pensions;Jobcentre Plus

Answer

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many employees have been given (a) an oral warning, (b) a written warning and (c) a final warning for contravening the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees since its introduction; and if he will make a statement; [100306] (2) how many employees reprimanded for contravening the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus are (a) frontline employees and (b) non frontline staff; and if he will make a statement; [100307] (3) how many employees reprimanded for contravening the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus are (a) former Benefits Agency employees and (b) Employment Service employees; and if he will make a statement; [100308] (4) what legal advice he was given concerning the implications of the introduction of the new guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees; and if he will make a statement; [100309] (5) if he will place a copy of the guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees in the Library; and if he will make a statement; [100310] (6) what consultation was held when drawing up the new guidance on dress codes for Jobcentre Plus employees; and if he will make a statement. [100311] Mr. Nicholas Brown: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting Chief Executive of the Jobcentre Plus, Clare Dodgson. She will write to the hon. Member. Letter from Clare Dodgson to Paul Holmes, dated 31 March 2003: As Jobcentre Plus is an Executive Agency, I have been asked to reply to your six questions concerning our dress standard. This falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of the Agency. A copy of the Jobcentre Plus dress standard has been placed in the Library. Our dress standard requires all our staff to dress in a professional and business like way. It reflects our role as a gateway to the labour market for people of working age and in providing vacancy-filling services for employers. It is consistent with the approach adopted by many other service delivery organisations and is entirely appropriate for us as a highly visible public-facing service. It is also an important element in promoting a single, integrated culture within our organisation--which was created from staff of the former Benefits Agency and Employment Service. Our records from July 2002 show that 47 staff have received oral warnings, of whom 21 went on to receive written warnings, and 10 went on to receive disciplinary penalties. You asked how many of these were from the former Benefits Agency and from the former Employment Service, and how many were frontline and non frontline employees. This information is not available, and to gather it would involve a disproportionate cost. At present there are 23 people failing to comply with the dress standard, out of the approximate 82,000 staff of Jobcentre Plus; around half of whom are claiming exemption on medical grounds. Consultation on the dress standard took place in the lead up to the introduction of integrated Pathfinder offices, which preceded Jobcentre Plus, and on the launch of Jobcentre Plus itself. The Public and Commercial Services Union was formally consulted and some of their comments were incorporated into the standard though, regrettably, we were unable to reach full agreement with them. In developing our dress standard, we took extensive legal advice which has led us to be firmly of the view that our dress policy is not discriminatory, is reasonable and does not contravene the Human Rights Act. I hope this is helpful.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

402 c598-9W; 100306;100307;100308;100309;100310;100311

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Disciplinary proceedings Clothing Jobcentre Plus Social Security Benefits Agency Employment Service

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk