Latest update: 21/03/2023

Multi-Sectoral Guidelines to Tackle Third-Party Violence and Harassment Related to Work

In 2010, EU employer and trade union organisations from several sectors issued guidelines to tackle third-party violence and harassment at work.

The guidelines were signed on 30 September 2010 by the EU-level social partners in the healthcare, education, public administrations, commerce and private security sectors and define common principles to fight third-party violence and harassment in their workplaces.

The guidelines set out practical measures that can be taken by employers, workers and their representatives (trade unions), such as:

  • increasing awareness and understanding of the issue among employers, workers and public authorities;
  • developing a clear workplace policy framework for the prevention and management of third-party violence; 
  • properly assessing the risks posed by third party violence, taking into account different occupations, locations and work practices;
  • incorporating safer environments into workplace design and taking security measures (e.g. installing fences, security cameras and panic buttons);
  • training managers and workers in how to prevent or, if necessary, manage the problem;
  • setting up policies and systems for monitoring, reporting and investigating incidents and providing support to victims.

The signatory social partners are committed to disseminating these guidelines and taking initiatives to address the issue of third-party violence and harassment at work. In July 2020, they published a joint statement to reaffirm their commitment and to continue efforts aimed at ensuring that each and every workplace has a results-oriented policy addressing this issue.

Publication details

Published by: EU-level social partners in the healthcare, education, public administrations, commerce and private security sectors

Publication date: 2010

Number of pages: 6 pp.

Available in languages

English