Framework agreement on harassment and violence at work

With this agreement, European social partners condemn work related violence in all its forms, and recognise that violence can have an adverse effect on the workplace of each worker.

The agreement states that harassment and violence are due to unacceptable behaviour by one or more individuals and uses the following definitions:

• Harassment occurs when one or more worker or manager are repeatedly and deliberately abused, threatened and/or humiliated in circumstances relating to work.
• Violence occurs when one or more worker or manager are assaulted in circumstances relating to work.

The aim of the agreement is to:

• increase the awareness and understanding of employers, workers and their representatives of workplace harassment and violence;
• provide employers, workers and their representatives at all levels with an action-oriented framework; and
• to identify, prevent and manage problems of harassment and violence at work.

According to the agreement, employers need to have a clear statement emphasising that harassment and violence will not be tolerated. Also, procedures outlining how to deal with harassment and violence should be specified. 

The agreement has led to several initiatives across Europe such as national collective agreements, joint guidelines and sectoral partner agreements. An implementation report published in 2016 provides an overview. 

Publication details
Published by: EU cross-sectoral social partners: BusinessEurope, ETUC, CEEP and UEAPME
Publication date: April 2007
Number of pages: 4 pp.