Workplace harassment and the need to create a safer environment for women

Workplace harassment and the need to create a safer environment for women

Podcast

Workplace harassment and the need to create a safer environment for women

Podcast

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Yvonne explains that the Codes of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace (2022) define harassment as any unwanted or unwelcome conduct that undermines dignity, creates a hostile or intimidating work environment, or induces submission through actual or perceived consequences. When this behaviour is tied to one or more grounds of prohibited discrimination as per Section 6(3) of the Act, read with item 4.8 of the Code, it falls squarely in the ambit of unfair discrimination.

Yvonne adds that harassment includes acts of violence, physical, emotional, sexual, gender-based, or verbal abuse. It also encompasses the use of physical force or power, whether threatened or actual, against an individual or group.

Yvonne emphasises that while the Code provides several examples of harassment, the key is translating these into clear, accessible policies. It’s essential that employees can easily understand and apply them, and organisations must also run awareness campaigns to ensure these policies reach everyone.

Yvonne notes that while many organisations have advanced systems for reporting harassment, others may not be as developed. In such cases, employees should approach their human capital business partner or HR department, who are trained to provide support and remain neutral. Some companies also offer anonymous reporting channels, allowing employees to provide enough detail to initiate a conversation and address the issue. There are service providers like ICAS to provide employee well-being programmes where they can offer support and advice on the next steps.

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