A 3rd of sexual harassment occurs within the office, EU Well being and Meals Security Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou mentioned on the SEC occasion on “Tackling Sexual Harassment and Bullying within the Office”, held on Thursday afternoon. .
Citing figures, the European Commissioner mentioned that in 2023 half of EU residents have skilled emotional or psychosocial challenges within the final 12 months, whereas over 1 / 4 of employees expertise psychological stress and nervousness, brought about or exacerbated by their work.
As well as, he famous that girls face gender bias of their working relationships, stating that violence in opposition to ladies and any type of sexual harassment, causes emotions of hysteria, and different psychological problems, which result in elevated absence from work, and decreased efficiency . It reported that greater than 77% of office harassment entails ladies.
The occasion was welcomed by the Minister of Labor and Social Insurance coverage, Yiannis Panagiotou, who mentioned that tackling sexual harassment and bullying within the office is a basic challenge for the protection and well-being of the workforce.
Regardless of the vital steps which have been taken, he famous, the spectrum of sexual harassment continues to unfold in all branches and sectors of financial exercise.
This, he mentioned, isn’t particular person misconduct however a systemic error that requires systemic options. He acknowledged that Cyprus in recent times has taken vital steps to align with EU insurance policies on the matter, by updating authorized frameworks.
On behalf of SEK, the Deputy Normal Secretary, Michalis Michail, mentioned that the occupational risk of sexual harassment and office intimidation is acknowledged as an “occupational illness”, noting that the cooperation of the social companions is critical to fight the phenomenon.
As he mentioned, a survey carried out on behalf of SEK in 2022 highlights the magnitude of the issue, because it confirmed that 7 out of 10 employees imagine that in Cyprus employees are victims of office bullying, whereas one in two acknowledged that they’re themselves a sufferer. “The variety of complaints doesn’t mirror the issue,” he famous, to underline that the present institutional framework is inadequate and doesn’t contribute to complaints progressing to justice.
(Kype)
