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Ombudsman suggests further anti-harassment measures for EU institutions
Press release no. 9/2018 - Date Wednesday | 19 December 2018
Case SI/2/2018/AMF - Opened on Tuesday | 24 April 2018 - Decision on Monday | 17 December 2018 - Institutions concerned European Parliament | European Investment Bank | European Economic and Social Committee | European Committee of the Regions | European External Action Service | European Agency for Safety and Health at Work | European Border and Coast Guard Agency | European Union Aviation Safety Agency | European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training | European Chemicals Agency | European Environment Agency | European Food Safety Authority | European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions | European Institute for Gender Equality | European Medicines Agency | European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction | European Union Intellectual Property Office | European Commission | European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training | European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation | European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation | Court of Justice of the European Union | European Council | European Court of Auditors | European Data Protection Supervisor | European Central Bank - Country France
The European Ombudsman, Emily O'Reilly, has drawn up a list of good practices after reviewing the anti-harassment policies in 26 EU institutions and agencies.
The practices cover awareness raising, workplace risk assessment, regular policy monitoring, mandatory training, swift procedures, and rehabilitation measures.
“While the EU institutions generally have good anti-harassment policies, my report shows that more can and must be done to bring them into line with the legitimate expectations of a post #MeToo society.”
“The aim of this mapping exercise is to assist in the standardising of these identified practices across all EU institutions,” said Ms O’Reilly.
Other important measures include allowing trainees to make formal complaints about harassment; regular training for confidential counsellors and the setting up of a pool of independent investigators, which institutions can draw upon during formal harassment investigations.
The Ombudsman notes harassment cases can involve a significant power imbalance and suggests stronger rules for high-ranking personnel. Examples of good practice include the European Court of Auditors’ anti-harassment policy, which has strong disciplinary measures for culpable members, such as compulsory retirement or denial of pension rights.
Ms O’Reilly’s overarching finding is that all EU personnel - regardless of their status - should be covered by anti-harassment policies, and that the protection extend to acts committed by all personnel, including high-ranking individuals.
“All workplaces can be affected by harassment; what sets a good workplace apart is whether it has a culture of zero tolerance towards harassment and whether staff are informed about their rights and empowered to act,” said Ms O’Reilly.
The Ombudsman will take these good practices into account in future when considering any complaints about how EU institutions have handled harassment issues.
For a list of the institutions and agencies the ombudsman consulted as well as the report summarising all of the findings, please see here.
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