Equality in the Workplace: Zero Tolerance on Gender-Based Discrimination and Harassment in Europe

Key Speakers

	Prof. Marilyn J. Davidson, Emerita Professor of Work Psychology, Manchester Business School, University of Manchester
	Mr. Gijs van Houten, Research Officer, Eurofound
	Ms. Brigitte Triems, President, European Women’s Lobby
	Ms. Johanna Nelles, Programme Advisor, Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, DG Justice and Human Dignity Directorate, Council of Europe
	Prof. Joop Schippers, Professor of Labour and Economics of Equal Opportunities, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
	Ms. Manuela Samek Lodovici, Head of the Labour Market Area, Institute for Social Research, Milan, Italy

Equality between women and men is one of the fundamental principles of Community law and, furthermore, harassment is mentioned in the national legislation of seventeen European countries. The European Union’s objectives on gender equality are to ensure equal opportunities and equal treatment for men and women and to combat any form of harassment and discrimination on the grounds of gender.

Gender-based discrimination is prominent in many workplaces with sexual harassment, in particular, manifesting itself in different forms; it is always one-sided and unwelcome for the victim. A single incident can constitute sexual harassment, although it often consists of repeated unwelcome and imposed actions. Moreover, such abuse can take the form of psychological intimidation, threats or physical violence. Gender-based harassment and violence both reflects and reinforces inequalities between women and men.

2010 saw the Spanish Presidency of the European Union place the eradication of violence against women at the top of its priorities but much work still needs to be done. Indeed, whilst issues around workplace inequalities have been acknowledged for many years, statistics continue to make disturbing reading. In 1998, 30 to 50 per cent of women had experienced some form of violence at work, and in 2001 one in six women was a victim of harassment. This figure rose to an alarming number in 2002 with 56% of women experiencing sexual harassment in the workplace. In the case of sexual harassment, female employees report cases of abuse more than three times as often as males.

Concern about the effects of workplace discrimination and harassment on the health and safety of workers has been growing over the last decade. Both third-party violence and harassment may have severely negative consequences for the individuals affected and their families, as well as being detrimental to society generally. Although this growing concern has led to better provision of information, there is still an urgent need to improve public and practitioner awareness, and to encourage better dissemination of the proven tools and procedures to prevent and manage these occupational risks.

Public Policy Exchange is proud to continue its equality platform with a special symposium on tackling gender-based discrimination and harassment in the workplace through exchanging best practices between leading practitioners, international organisations and major stakeholders. The Symposium will discuss effective ways to delineate an EU-wide framework for prevention and encourage delegates to engage in thought-provoking topical debate.

Delegates will:

• Share comparative knowledge on gender-based discrimination and harassment at work and raise awareness of current challenges in Europe
• Explore innovative solutions for effective prevention, targeting the root causes of gender-based harassment at work
• Tackle definition challenges and trigger debate on potential policy developments in the area
• Delineate a comprehensive strategy for Europe and provide recommendations for future initiatives

Programme

Who Should Attend?

• Training Managers
• Local Authorities
• Recruitment Advisers
• Gender Equality Councils
• Social Funds
• Organisational Development Professionals
• Equal Opportunities Officers
• Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Practitioners
• Equal Opportunity Ombudsman
• Women's Associations
• Women's Enterprise Agencies
• Institutes for Occupational Health
• Childcare Service Agencies
• Associations for Education and Development of Women
• Institutes for Training and Employment
• Institutes for Social Inclusion of Women
• Women's Centres
• Anti-Discrimination Agencies
• Research Centres for Gender Equalities
• Academics & Universities
• National Agencies on Gender Equality
• Women's Networks
• Trade Unions
• Employers’ Associations
• Equal Opportunity Agencies
• Women’s Councils
• NGO Networks
• International and Regional Organisations
• National Ministries and Institutes
• Confederations of Women’s Organisations
• Joint Committees on Women
• National Coordinators on Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities
• Social Exclusion Officers
• Judges and Lawyers
• Human Rights Groups
• Disability Forums and Associations
• Confederations of Independent Unions
• Social Care Professionals