The Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace (Code), which was introduced on 18 March 2022, seeks to eliminate and prevent all forms of harassment that may occur in the workplace.
During a briefing on Tuesday, Employment and Labour Departments Employment Equity (EE) Deputy Director, Niresh Singh, said harassment does not only occur on the physical premises in any situation related to an employee's work.
Harassment Can Take Place In
- The workplace in both public and private settings (this includes employees who are working from home
- Venues where the employee is paid takes a rest break or a meal, or uses sanitary, washing and changing facilities
- Work-related trips, travel, training events and social activities
- Work-related communications, including those enabled by information and communication technologies like Email and WhatsApp
- In employer-provided accommodation
- When commuting to and from work in a transport provided/controlled by the employer
Singh explained that perpetrators and victims of harassment include individuals who play a role in a company and those who have dealing with an organisation.
Perpetrators and victims of harassment can include owners, managers, employees, persons involved in learnerships, job applicants, volunteers, suppliers, contractors, clients and anyone who has dealings with an organisation.
All stakeholders in an organisation need to address harassment in the workplace. If employees cannot confront their perpetrators, they can then approach the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA) to address workplace disputes.
