Preventing Violence and Harassment in the Workplace

The issues of violence and harassment in the workplace have aroused growing interest across Europe in recent years, yet there is a great disparity in the different EU Member States between awareness and recognition of the problem. This comparative analysis reveals that, while the full extent of the phenomenon remains unknown, a substantial proportion of the workforce is affected. The report looks at the different forms and patterns of violence and harassment in the workplace, describing legal and other initiatives taken in various countries to combat the problem. It presents evidence showing the adverse effects of this problem on individuals, organisations and society, and assesses the potential financial costs at these levels. Factors that may contribute to and even cause violence and harassment are reviewed, while several examples of good practice that have successfully prevented or managed the problem are presented.