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Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment involves comments, gestures and actions that have sexual overtones and that employees find undesirable. This can include verbal and non-verbal behaviour as well as physical contact. It is quite possible that the perpetrator is unaware that they are guilty of sexual harassment. A comment may be intended as a joke. That does not make it any less serious than 'deliberate' unwanted sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment falls under the category of psychosocial workload. Sexual harassment can lead to work-related stress and absenteeism and ultimately to long-term sick leave and possibly even incapacity for work. Employees who experience sexual harassment at work become demotivated. If they take sick leave, the step back to work is even more difficult. This is a very unpleasant situation for the employee. And it costs you, the employer, a lot of money.

What can you do to combat sexual harassment?

As an employer, you must establish a policy to combat sexual harassment at work. This is required under the Working Conditions Act. If you fail to do so, the Netherlands Labour Authority may take measures. Ultimately, you could even face heavy fines. You develop policies against sexual harassment on the basis of the Risk Inventory & Evaluation, in which you describe the situations in which sexual harassment can occur.

Measures

Examples of measures:

  • Identifying the risks in your organisation.
  • Appointing a confidential advisor and complaints committee.
  • Informing your employees about sexual harassment.
  • Where necessary, conducting further investigations while ensuring anonymity.
  • Drawing up a code of conduct and a complaints procedure.
  • Support, guidance and aftercare for victims of sexual harassment.
  • Dealing with the perpetrator(s) of sexual harassment.
  • Evaluating whether the measures are having the desired effect.

Read more about what you can do to combat sexual harassment in the workplace (Dutch) at arboportaal.nl.

Question and answer

Self-inspection: Bullying, discrimination and (sexual) harassment

Are you doing enough to combat sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination? Use the Work pressure and undesirable behaviour self-inspection tool (Dutch).