Part of 4. Questions to the Senedd Commission – in the Senedd at 4:21 pm on 20 October 2021.
Thank you for that question. You're absolutely right; from day one of coming here you've called for a kinder politics, and you're right to do that.
In terms of the Commission, we do have a very long-term focus on mental well-being and reducing the perceived stigma. Employees are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work, and I think that is hugely important. Apart from all the other things that are done here, there's a regular pulse survey to monitor well-being rather than just attendance, which allows real-time responses by the executive board. Because very often, illness is monitored by people either being in a room or on a monitor or not, but that won't tell you anything about what's happening to the individual.
I think, in terms of going forward, there is a clear need, in my opinion—and I'm sure it'll be shared by others—to monitor what is being said online, and that if people are actually being directly approached or affected, for them to know that there is an avenue here in the Senedd for them to talk about that. I think overall we have to take responsibility ourselves in the way that we communicate—there's no question about that, either. But you're right—our staff usually are the first people to see the hatred and the vitriol, and that is not part of their role. So, moving forward, I'd be very happy to work with you, Jack, to take this to where it needs to be, and that's to resolve or at least limit some of this hatred. Thank you.