Sexual harassment in Norway - as well as discrimination at work and mobbing - is strictly prohibited by law. In this case, counteracting the manifestations of such behavior is also the responsibility of the employer. So is dealing with harassment issues.
What is sexual harassment in Norway
Sexual harassment in Norway this is a serious problem and is also treated in this way by Norwegian law. Harassment behavior can take many forms. They can be physical, verbal or non-verbal. They can be, for example indiscriminate comments about the appearance or other aspects of human sexuality.
Harassment also in Social Media
It is worth emphasizing that sexual harassment it can also be, for example, playing erotic movies against the will of the other party. What's more - it can occur not only at the workplace, but also in other circumstances, such as during a business trip or in other places outside the company. Sexual harassment in Norway it is also solicitation by social profiles, such as Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Also read: Mobbing in Norway - how to prevent? >>>
The activity does not have to be repeated
Activities with signs sexual harassment they don't have to repeat themselves. A one-time incident is enough for it to be recognized as undesirable behavior. In such cases, however, the circumstances of the incident are important. When considering the circumstances, one also takes into account, inter alia, the relationships in which the parties remain, especially if the person is harassed by their supervisor.
The problem mainly affects women
As reported by Arbeidstilsynet, sexual harassment in Norway is a growing problem. Over the last 10 years, there has been an increasing number of reports of such behavior. Statistics also show that women report more often than men. This phenomenon most often affects employees working as waitresses, nurses, social workers, policewomen, doctors and in customer service. So wherever it exists direct contact with client. It also turns out to have the greatest risk of showing up sexual harassment it concerns young women performing the above-mentioned professions.
Risk factors
The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority it also informs about the main risk factors causing a higher propensity to exhibit behaviors with birthmarks sexual harassment. This most often happens in:
- workplaces involving direct customer service,
- workplaces where the employed person is usually alone,
- when working at night,
- in cases of temporary employment,
- in relation to young workers, especially women,
- while working in social welfare institutions,
- in the absence of systematic training in the field of HMS.
The above-mentioned issues increase the risk sexual harassment. Some of these factors may occur simultaneously, especially when working in hotels or in XNUMX-hour shops where alcohol is sold.
Prevention
To exclude sexual harassment in Norwayit is important to take preventive action. The role of the employer is large in this, as he should organize the workplace in such a way as to prevent the occurrence of such behavior as much as possible. He should - in cooperation with employees - develop a "risk map" that will clearly indicate the circumstances in which harassment.
6 preventive actions
On page The Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority 6 preventive measures have also been published, thanks to which there is a greater chance of eliminating harassment in the workplace:
- Identification of risk factors and circumstances in which the probability of occurrence harassment is the greatest.
- Instruction employees about the applicable rules in a given workplace.
- Implementation of "good practices" that will facilitate information about the incident harassment at work.
- Breaking the applicable rules should have clearly defined consequences. Regardless of the position in the company by the perpetrator.
- Those charged with governance should be of good repute.
- Initiating talks on sexual harassment in the workplace. This will help to increase awareness.
Sexual harassment in Norway - better to prevent
Sexual harassment in Norway is strictly prohibited by the Norwegian Labor Code. It is better to prevent such behavior. However, it is worth knowing how to behave if it does happen. The procedure is similar to that in the case of other discriminatory actions.
First sexual harassment in Norway should be reported to his superior and shop steward. If no action is taken by the employer, the employee can report the matter to Arbeidstilsynet. This institution may then initiate proceedings as well check company and interview employees. It is worth remembering that this solution is a last resort.
