Harassment is a term that falls under the collective term ‘abusive acts’. Harassment in the workplace covers, among other things, criticism of privacy, exclusion from the social and/or professional community, violence and threats of violence.
The common term ‘offensive acts’ covers harassment, sexual harassment, bullying and other ways in which violations can occur at work – even when it happens digitally.
However, harassment and other abusive behaviour are of great importance for the well-being and environment of the workplace. Therefore, it is important that your employees have peace of mind in being able to report bullying and other abusive behaviour anonymously if they experience it. But when is it harassment? What does the law say? What obligations do you have as an employer, for example in relation to the requirement for whistleblower schemes in companies? You get the answer here.
When is it harassment?
Det er svært at give et entydigt svar på, hvad der tæller som krænkelser og chikane. Det vil i stedet blive vurderet fra sag til sag. Men det centrale er, at adfærden skal opfattes som nedværdigende af den eller de udsatte.
It is difficult to give a clear answer as to what counts as violations and harassment. It will instead be assessed on a case-by-case basis. But the key is that the behaviour should be perceived as degrading by the victim or victims.
It does not matter whether the actions are expressions of thoughtlessness or a definite desire to offend or harass. It is the person’s experience of the abusive acts that is significant.
Below, however, you will find a list of typical violations that are classified as harassment. The list is not exhaustive, but the key is that the behaviour is perceived as degrading. In addition, there must be behaviour with a “particularly gross character”, or frequent behaviour over a longer period of time.
- Hurtful remarks
- Exclusion from the social and professional community
- Criticism of privacy
- Offensive messages, phone calls, photos and videos (including on social media)
- To be shouted at or ridiculed
- Exploitation at work (for example, being forced to go on private errands for others)
- Violence in the workplace or threats thereof
Consequences of harassment in the workplace
Harassment and other abusive behaviour can lead to a number of health problems. Of course, this could happen to the victim or victims, but also to witnesses to the behaviour.
Examples of consequences are:
- Physical reactions: Headache, nausea and gastrointestinal problems.
- Pain in the back, shoulders and neck. Shortness of breath, tremor and fainting
- Mental reactions: Anxiety, insecurity, nervousness, despair and lack of self-confidence. Memory and concentration problems, anger and aggression
- Behavioural reactions: Passive, restless, sleepless, isolation, sick leave, reduced ability to work and eventually termination
The Whistleblower Directive: For safe reporting of harassment
A healthy and well-functioning workplace is free from violations and harassment – that’s obvious. However, it can be a difficult task to completely guard against. Therefore, it is important that every company has a system that allows offended employees to be heard without having to fear retaliation.
At the end of 2021, the legal requirement that all companies with more than 250 employees must have a whistleblower system enter into force in Denmark. It is made to allow whistleblowers to report anonymously to their workplace. It can be about offences, serious errors, negligence as well as harassment or other abusive behaviour in the workplace. The latter also includes, for example, sexual harassment and bullying.
If your employees experience harassment, it can be difficult for the individual to move forward with the problem, for example for fear of aggravating the problem further.
With WhistleSystem, your company gets a secure, anonymous and simple whistleblower system for anonymous reporting of, among other things, harassment. It can accommodate your employees, make them safer in the workplace and give them a better work environment.
WhistleSystem: A secure and user-friendly whistleblower system for your business
Compliance with the new legal requirements can easily become a headache for private companies with 50+ employees. If you want to avoid breaking the head with the many legal details for implementing and handling alerts that come with the scheme, the solution is WhistleSystem.
WhistleSystem is a whistleblower system, or software that is safe and user-friendly, and that complies with all rules and legal requirements in the field. The system requires a minimal amount of work on your part: The implementation of the software is quick and simple, the user-friendliness is top-notch and manuals are included, which you can insert in your personnel manual.
Once the WhistleSystem is implemented, all you have to do is deal with any reviews you receive through the system. And at the same time, you make sure to comply with the law on a whistleblower scheme in the company.
About bullying
Bullying is also a particularly destructive form of abusive behaviour. Bullying differs from generally abusive behaviour by being systematic.
That is, the violations happen against the same person or group repeatedly. In addition, bullying is defined by the vulnerable person or group not being able to defend themselves.
Consequences of harassment in the workplace
Harassment and other abusive behaviour can lead to a number of health problems. Of course, this could happen to the victim or victims, but also to witnesses to the behaviour.
Examples of consequences are:
Physical reactions:
Headache, nausea and gastrointestinal problems. Pain in the back, shoulders and neck. Shortness of breath, tremor and fainting
Mental reactions
Anxiety, insecurity, nervousness, despair and lack of self-confidence. Memory and concentration problems, anger and aggression
Behavioural reactions
Passive, restless, sleepless, isolation, sick leave, reduced ability to work and eventually termination
Consequences of abusive behaviour
Offensive behaviour can lead to a number of health problems – both for the victim or victims, but also witnesses to the behaviour.
Examples of consequences are:
- Physical reactions: Headache, nausea and gastrointestinal problems. Pain in the back, shoulders and neck. Shortness of breath, tremor and fainting
- Mental reactions: Anxiety, insecurity, nervousness, despair and lack of self-confidence. Memory and concentration problems, anger and aggression
- Behavioural reactions: Passive, restless, sleepless, isolation, sick leave, reduced ability to work and eventually termination
WhistleSystem: System for anonymous reporting of abusive behaviour
If you or other employees of the company experience violations and harassment, go ahead with it to resolve the issue. For the benefit of the vulnerable, but also for the company as a whole.
But does your company have the necessary system to enable employees to report abusive behaviour anonymously?
It can be difficult for the vulnerable to move forward with the problem for fear of making people angry – and thus aggravate the problem further.
If not, your WhistleSystem company can provide an easy and simple solution. WhistleSystem allows employees to report violations such as sexual harassment and bullying – securely, anonymously and simply. With WhistleSystem you are also guaranteed to comply with the law on whistleblowing
