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Description
The project developped a strategy for combating violence in Labour Offices in cooperation with Norwegian authorities and experts.
The background was the high level of violence and aggression by clients in employment offices across the country, which even caused the death of one employee in 2021. The project also addressed workplace bullying within the organisation, which is also a type of violence that has a negative impact on the psychological and physical health of the workers.
There were no formal partners in the project, but the project promoter cooperated on an informal basis with Norwegian authorities, both NAV - Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration - and the Norwegian Ministry of Labour and Social Inclusion. In addition, a Norwegian professor contributed with expertise and gave training.
The main activity of the project was the development and implementation of a strategy for eliminating violence, aggression and bullying at the internal and external level of the Labour Offices, based on an analysis of the current situation and exchange of best practice with Norwegian authorities and experts. The implementation was done through training of key players at regional level and awareness-raising activities among employees.
Activities were structured as follows:
- Analysis of the current cases of violence in the Czech labour offices based on surveys among 30 employers and 1000 employees
- Study trip for 8 persons to Norway and 5 workshops
- Creation of a strategy for combatting violence at the workplace
- Creation of 2 educational programmes: 1) Violence and bullying in the workplace and 2) Aggressive client
- Pilot testing of educational programs on target groups
- Training of 6 internal lecturers/methodologists of violence prevention in the workplace given by a Norwegian professor
- Awareness-raising activities towards the target group as well as broader audience: web microsite, 5 instructional videos, two brochures, social media channels
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address levels of violence in employment offices. Additionally, the project sought to tackle workplace bullying within organisations, which adversely affects the psychological and physical health of workers. There was also a need to raise awareness and provide tools for preventing and addressing workplace violence and harassment. Furthermore, the project aimed to improve social dialogue and cooperation between employees and employers to build respect and trust.
The project began with an analysis of the current situation, conducting surveys among 30 employers and 1000 employees to understand the extent of violence and bullying. A six-day study trip to Norway was organised, including five workshops, to learn best practices. The project developed a comprehensive strategy to combat workplace violence and bullying, which included risk analysis and a review of the legal framework. Two educational programmes were created and piloted: one focused on violence and bullying in the workplace, targeted at managers and heads of units, and the other on dealing with clients, targeted at officers in direct client contact. These programmes were pilot tested, and feedback was incorporated. Six internal lecturers were trained in violence prevention. Awareness-raising activities were also conducted, including the development of a website, five instructional videos, two brochures, and the use of social media channels to disseminate information.
The project developed and piloted two educational programmes, making them freely available to employees of the Labour Offices in the Czech Republic. Six instructors were trained and are ready to educate at regional Labour Office locations. Two brochures were produced to raise awareness about combating workplace violence and harassment. The project established cooperation and live contacts with Norwegian partner, with the potential for future collaboration. A website was created where all project outputs and results are published, accessible to the public. The project strengthened dialogue and collaboration between employees and employers, leading to a better work environment and reduced conflicts. It also contributed to the functioning of social dialogue and the overall work culture in the Czech Republic, benefiting both individual workers and employers. The primary beneficiaries of the project are the employees and employers of the Labour Offices in the Czech Republic, as well as the broader public who can access the project''s outputs and results.