Description
The project is needed to prepare the employees to prevent conflicts, manage emergency situations at the workplace if the need arises, and to create institutional support for maintaining the output of the project based on better social dialogue, decent work and safer working place improvement. Experiences gathered while implementing a previous similar project will be used. This past project “Strengthening social dialogue with an emphasis on crisis management in cases of violence at workplaces, especially medical centers and social care services” dealt with the same issues but on a nation-wide level and with the exception of the capital city of Prague, as it did not meet the requirements for obtaining European Social Fund support from 2010-2012. Graduates of this course will receive a certificate that will be useful for their future career. The output of the previous project (trained lecturers, methodology of training and the computer equipment of the realisation team) will be used as input into the current project and be updated during its implementation. The Association of Local and Regional Authorities will share experience and best practice.
Summary of project results
This project was proposed as a reaction to the growing frequency of cases of violence against the employees working in medical and social services, that is committed by clients or their family members. The victims of the attack often end up on sick leave and unable to work, face psychological problems or even leave their job forever. This also means a loss for the employer when, for example, an employee who is under stress is unable to provide service of the necessary quality, or when a replacement for an employee on a sick leave has to be sought. This problem is recognized by the European social partners. The employers and trade unions have signed common guidelines to help tackle third party violence. These guidelines are also signed by the CEMR and the EPSU. The goal of the project was to prepare the employees to prevent conflicts, manage emergency situations at the workplace if the need arises and to create institutional support for maintaining the output of the project based on better social dialogue, decent work and safer working place improving. The experiences of the Norwegian partner was utilized for this purpose. The project was implemented in cooperation with the employers and the unions, with the objective to improve the social dialogue via improving quality of services, better communication. Two study tours were organized: to Norway and to Czech Republic. Workshops were organised during both study visits. Contacts were made with Norwegian municipalities that have experience from the third party violence prevention. The training course was updated by selected lecturers in accordance with the results of the investigation and good practices. National accreditation was asked. The training of the employees was made during five-days course.
Summary of bilateral results
The role of the Norwegian partner was of a big importance. A great demand was faced in the Czech Republic in social dialogue field and in the prevention of third party violence. The Norwegian experience and expertise was very useful in this respect. The cooperation with the Norwegian partner is planned for the future as well and some further actions have been already undertaken.