More information
Description
Safe at Work aims at tackling sexual harassment at the work environment. It is the continuation of the panhellenic research “This is not our work”, (ActionAid Hellas, 2020), according to which 85% of women in Greece have experienced sexual harassment at the workplace and it adopts a holistic approach of the problem, in 5 pillars:
– Legal counseling & representation of the victims/survivors
– Reinforcement of the legal framework in the country, through the application of the International Labor Organization Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) with proposed policies from empirical data and legal representatives’ trainings.
– Creation of educational material & HR departments as well as employees’ trainings, in the private & public sector
– Research on the perceptions & attitude of men
– Raising awareness regarding sexual harassment at the workplace, with a focus on selected groups pf the population and the general public.
ActionAid Hellas, as the Project Promoter, undertake the management of the program, coordination of the legal activities, the trainings of law students and lawyers, the Digital Resource Center and the policy proposals.
Women on Top, Research Committee of Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, Greek People Management Association and DataWo, as Partners of the Project, contribute with: the creation of the educational and communications material, the trainings, the provision of legal support to women victims/survivors, conducting research about the perceptions and attitudes of men and the networking with corporations for the prevention and tackling of sexual harassment at the workplace.
The program has received letters of support from the ITUC-International Trade Union Confederation & the General Secretariat General for Demography, Family Policy & Gender Equality of the Greek Ministry of Labour.
Summary of project results
The Safe at Work project aimed to address the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace, which is a persistent problem affecting many women in Greece. The project was built upon the findings of the 2020 pan-Hellenic survey “This is not our job” by ActionAid, which highlighted the widespread nature of sexual harassment at work. The challenges identified included the lack of adequate legal knowledge and representation for victims, insufficient legal frameworks for addressing sexual harassment, and the need for comprehensive training for human resource personnel and employees across sectors. Additionally, there was a need to better understand men’s perceptions of the issue and to raise public awareness about the consequences of sexual harassment in professional settings.
The project adopted a holistic approach along five main axes:
Legal Counseling & Representation: It provided free legal counseling and representation to survivors of sexual harassment, helping them understand their rights and navigate legal processes.
Legal Framework Strengthening: The project contributed to the national implementation of ILO Convention 190, which focuses on eliminating violence and harassment in the workplace. Empirical data gathered from the project''s research informed policy proposals aimed at improving the legal framework. In addition, it provided training for legal professionals, including law students and young lawyers, on how to handle such cases.
Training and Education: Educational material was created and distributed, and extensive training was conducted for human resource executives, public and private sector employees, and university students. This training aimed to equip employees and HR staff with the knowledge and skills to recognize and address sexual harassment at work.
Research on Men’s Perceptions: The project undertook research to understand how men perceive sexual harassment in the workplace, aiming to foster change by addressing harmful attitudes.
Public Awareness and Advocacy: The project worked to inform and raise awareness among specific population groups and the general public, using various platforms to highlight the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace.
The Safe at Work project achieved significant results for multiple beneficiary groups:
Women (Victims/Survivors): The project had a direct impact on women by offering free legal counseling services, which helped them understand their rights and take steps against sexual harassment at work. A notable case saw a woman receiving legal representation that led to a successful court ruling, with the perpetrator being sentenced to six months in prison (suspended). This was a major legal victory for the survivor and a strong message for other victims. Additionally, the project empowered women by educating them about their rights, which in turn boosted their confidence in confronting harassment.
Legal Professionals and Law Students: A total of 118 individuals, including law students and young lawyers, received specialized training on how to represent victims of sexual harassment, thereby enhancing the legal support available to survivors. The training contributed to strengthening the legal framework by preparing a new generation of legal professionals.
Workforce (HR executives, employees, students): Around 850 people, including HR executives, public and private sector employees, and university students, were trained in Athens, Thessaloniki, Drama, and Kavala. This training helped them recognize, prevent, and address instances of sexual harassment in their workplaces. The educational material developed through the project provided practical solutions for dealing with workplace harassment.
General Public: The research and publications from the project raised public awareness about the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace and the need for stronger protections. The findings and data collected during the project were shared widely, helping to shift public discourse and increase the visibility of the issue in Greece.
In summary, the Safe at Work project made a lasting impact by providing legal support to women, strengthening the national legal framework, training key stakeholders, and raising awareness to combat sexual harassment in Greek workplaces.