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REPORT (2024/2006(REG))

On amendments to Parliament’s Rules of Procedure concerning the training on preventing conflict and harassment in the workplace and on good office management

A-9-2024-0163

Committee on Constitutional Affairs · Rapporteur: Gabriele Bischoff

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Parliament's amended version of its Rules of Procedure requires Members to complete specialised training on preventing conflict and harassment in the workplace and on good office management. Members who have not signed the declaration confirming commitment to the Code of appropriate behaviour, including completing the training, cannot be elected as office-holders, appointed as rapporteur or take part in official delegations or interinstitutional negotiations. The Conference of Presidents may propose ending an office-holder's term if the Member has been guilty of serious misconduct or has not completed the training in breach of the deadline and conditions in the Code. The training must be completed within the first six months of a Member's term, save in duly substantiated exceptional cases, and certificates of completion will be published on Parliament's website. Failure to complete the training is a serious breach of Rule 10(6) and leads to penalties under Rule 176.

Committee position. The Committee on Constitutional Affairs proposes that Parliament amend its Rules of Procedure to require Members to complete specialised training on preventing conflict and harassment and on good office management, and to attach consequences for non-completion.

Key points

  1. Members may not be elected as office-holders, appointed as rapporteur or participate in official delegations or interinstitutional negotiations if they have not signed the declaration confirming commitment to the Code, including completing the specialised training.
  2. Members may also be barred from those roles if they have not completed the specialised training in breach of the deadline and conditions laid down in the Code.
  3. The Conference of Presidents may propose ending the term of the President, a Vice-President, a Quaestor, a Chair or Vice-Chair of a committee, a Chair or Vice-Chair of an interparliamentary delegation, or any other office holder elected within Parliament.
  4. The Conference of Presidents may act where it considers the Member guilty of serious misconduct or where the Member has not completed the specialised training in breach of the deadline and conditions in the Code.
  5. Parliament decides on such a proposal by a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast, constituting a majority of its component Members.
  6. Where a rapporteur has been guilty of serious misconduct or has not completed the specialised training in breach of the deadline and conditions in the Code, the committee which appointed him or her may terminate the holding of that office.
  7. That termination is at the initiative of the President and on a proposal by the Conference of Presidents, and the same majorities apply mutatis mutandis to each stage of the procedure.
  8. As regards the prohibition of psychological or sexual harassment laid down in Rule 10(6), first subparagraph, the President may only adopt a reasoned decision under Rule 176 after the occurrence of harassment is established under the applicable internal administrative procedure.
  9. Members will cooperate fully, in accordance with procedures laid down by the Bureau, in managing situations of conflict or harassment, including by responding promptly to any allegations of harassment.
  10. Members who have not already done so shall take part in specialised training organised by Parliament on preventing conflict and harassment in the workplace and on good office management.
  11. The specialised training shall be completed within the first six months of the Member's term of office save in duly substantiated exceptional cases, and certificates of completion will be published on Parliament's website.
  12. It is considered a serious breach of Rule 10(6) if a Member has not completed the specialised training in breach of the second subparagraph, and that breach shall lead, pursuant to Rule 176, to one or more penalties.

Who is affected

  • Members of the European Parliament, who must complete the specialised training and may face penalties or loss of office for non-completion.
  • Office-holders such as the President, Vice-Presidents, Quaestors, committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs, and interparliamentary delegation Chairs and Vice-Chairs, whose term may be ended.
  • Rapporteurs, who may have their appointment terminated by the appointing committee.

Figures and deadlines

  • 16 July 2024: date on which the amendments enter into force.
  • three-fifths of the votes cast, representing at least three political groups: majority required for the Conference of Presidents to propose ending a term of office.
  • two-thirds of the votes cast, constituting a majority of component Members: majority required for Parliament to decide on ending a term of office.
  • first six months of the Member's term of office: deadline for completing the specialised training, save in duly substantiated exceptional cases.