Nine RTE staff will begin training next week as counsellors for those who experience bullying at work in the station.
This is part of a new policy agreed between RTE management and unions. It follows a number of recent allegations of bullying, specifically against a senior executive, Mr Andrew Burns, who resigned from the station. A number of claims are still outstanding arising from these allegations.
The counsellors will be trained by a three-member team in UCD's mediation centre, chaired by Ms Delma Sweeney. They have been chosen following internal advertising in RTE and interviews.
"This is in addition to their normal work. They will be facilitated in every way," said an RTE spokeswoman.
The new procedures are intended to resolve grievances speedily by dealing with them informally at the initial stage. However, the counsellors will guide staff members through both the informal procedures and a formal hearing before a committee chaired by an independent chairman or woman, external to RTE.
The previous investigation system, where victims could only appeal to an internally-chaired committee, was heavily criticised.
"It is hoped this will provide staff with a healthy working environment, treating people with respect," said the spokes woman.
Asked if this had not been the situation in the past, she said: "There is always room for improvement. There is a need to have mechanisms in place to resolve things at the earliest possible opportunity."
There were "a few" bullying claims currently outstanding. "These will have their own momentum. This system is for new cases, to have an early resolution of conflict," she said.