Union launches worker harassment hotline

Sek union is operating a free helpline for workers to report incidents of bullying or harassment.

The service, which was launched on May 1, aims to provide support to any employee and is available on 77 77 55 75.

Through this helpline, workers can report incidents which will then be handled by unions and technocrats in consultation with the complainant.

Callers will also be offered psychological support and guidance from a group of psychologists and other professionals.

According to a Sek study conducted late last year, more than one in two people employed in Cyprus say they have experienced bullying in the workplace.

It was the first survey of its kind for Cyprus.

As far as the type and nature of harassment at the workplace was concerned, the first was intimidation (50 per cent), psychological violence (48 per cent), and sexual harassment (17 per cent).

Sexual harassment reached 27 per cent for women and 5 per cent for men.

The union did not have figures on the number of such complaints filed “as they do not reflect the problem” because the majority of people do not complain “because of the inefficiency and loopholes in the legislation”.

Sek has proposed amending the law in a way that ensures the effective examination of all complaints and the strict reprimand of those proven to carry out such actions.

The union said that today, the examination of complaints was insufficient since the legislative framework examines complaints that are documented to have been committed exclusively due to gender and not all forms of bullying and intimidation.