CYPRUS
The Cypriot Ombudsman, Maria Lottides has announced a code of conduct aimed at preventing and dealing with sexual harassment within the Public Service.
She said her office was currently looking into eight sexual harassment cases that have been pending since 2015 and highlighted how the courts had previously taken the Government to task for failing to protect PS employees from falling victim to sexual harassment.
Ms Lottides said the code of conduct was an important step, as it concerned all PS staff, men and women, regardless of their employment status.
“The text will also be a guide for the Government, as the employer, to take immediate measures to avert acts — isolated or repeated — that constitute harassment, sexual harassment and victimisation of those who may report such behaviour,” Ms Lottides said.
She said of the eight cases filed with her office, a report was being prepared for one of them, while in others, it was deemed that the claims were not sufficiently airtight “so as to prove on our behalf that there was sexual harassment”.
Minister for Labour, Zeta Emilianidou said she would promote the code of conduct to the Cabinet, “to call on all competent authorities to apply it”.
“It is a very important tool because for the first time all necessary actions are being provided for anyone to be able to know how to act,” Ms Emilianidou said.
She said harassment at work was a disciplinary offence, and no one should tolerate such behaviour.
“The code of conduct in question concerns the Civil Service, but an effort is under way for one for the private sector,” Ms Emilianidou said.
The code of conduct explains what constitutes harassment, sexual harassment, unwanted behaviour and behaviour of a sexual nature and gives instructions to employees on how to prevent it and what to do if it takes place.
Nicosia, 12 July 2018
