Do you know how to recognize the
sexual harassment at work?

⚠️ Sexual harassment at work and sexist acts, the law is changing!
Since March 31, 2022, the employer must give greater importance and better visibility to the fight against sexist acts. Discover the changes 👇

⚖️ The law of August 2, 2021 (most of whose provisions came into force on 31 March 2022) reinforces the prevention of health at work, and in particular with regard to harassment, both in individual relationships and in collective group dynamics.

Since repeated or systemic sexism now constitutes sexual harassment, the employer must now adapt its prevention policy and its treatment procedure accordingly.

🤚 The logic behind it is to address everyday and trivialized disrespectful behaviors, such as sexist remarks or jokes, to create a culture of respect and inclusion.

In other words, the company is required to implement all appropriate means to prevent physical and psychosocial risks. Preventing sexual harassment is no exception.

Whether it is a single fact or a repeated act, sexual harassment is a criminal offence, the perpetrators of which can face a sentence of 2 to 3 years in prison and a fine of €45,000. In addition, the company may be held responsible for the consequences and damages suffered by employees as a result of its negligence in managing occupational risks.

Therefore, limiting the existence of such a fact, and its impact on employees, requires first of all Training its teams to know, detect and prevent sexual harassment and, in case of occurrence, ensure adequate crisis management.

Sexual harassment in the workplace refers to any conduct with an unwanted sexual connotation, whether verbal, non-verbal, or physical, that creates a hostile, intimidating, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for the person who is the victim. This definition is based on legal frameworks established in many countries to protect employees against this type of behavior.

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Main characteristics

Repeated or insulated pipes :

• Harassment can take the form of repeated acts, but a single serious action (for example, sexual assault) is enough to characterize it.

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Unwanted character :

• The victim did not consent to the advances or behaviors in question and perceives them as intrusive or offensive.

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Various forms of demonstration :

• Verbales : remarks, jokes, inappropriate proposals or explicit requests of a sexual nature.
• Non-verbal : insistent glances, obscene gestures, dissemination of inappropriate images or content.
• Physics : touching, touching, or any form of physical contact that is not consensual.

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Effects on the work environment :

• Sexual harassment can create an unhealthy climate and damage the psychological and professional well-being of the victim.

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Concrete examples

• A colleague who sends sexual messages or emails despite requests to stop.
• A line manager who conditions a promotion or an opportunity to sexual favors.
• Annoying gestures or comments that are repeated during meetings or professional events.

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What are the benefits of training teams to prevent sexual harassment at work?

Train teams to prevent sexual harassment at work brings numerous benefits, both for employees and for the company. This initiative contributes to creating a healthy, safe and respectful work environment, while reducing the risks associated with this type of behavior.

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Creating a respectful work environment

The training makes employees aware of appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, and informs them about consequences of sexual harassment. By clarifying boundaries and promoting a culture based on respect, it promotes healthy professional relationships. This respectful framework reinforces collaboration and inclusion, which in turn improves the overall work climate.

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Incident prevention and reduction

By training teams, organizations reduce the risk of inappropriate or abusive behaviors. Training helps employees to do better identify the signs of harassment, to adopt preventive behaviors and to intervene effectively when a problem situation arises.

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Building trust and well-being

Trained employees feel supported and protected by their company, which reinforces their sense of belonging. They know that they operate in an environment that takes the issues of safety and respect seriously. This trust reduces stress and contributes to their overall well-being, which also has a positive impact on their productivity.

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Legal protection for businesses

A company that acts early by offering training limits the legal risks associated with sexual harassment complaints. It can demonstrate that it has implemented preventive measures in accordance with its legal obligations, thereby protecting its reputation and minimizing potential financial consequences.

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Improving reputation and attractiveness

Organizations that invest in sexual harassment prevention are perceived as responsible and concerned about the well-being of their employees. This positive image attracts new talent and reinforces the retention of current employees. It can also contribute to the improvement of relationships with customers and partners.

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Support and support for victims

Training makes it possible to make teams aware of the resources available for victims of harassment. By understanding how to report an incident and feeling listened to, those involved are better equipped to deal with difficult situations. This promotes better crisis management and adequate support.