Fin24 reports that passive aggressive behaviour, bullying, ostracising, cyberbullying, career sabotage, and racist, sexist or LGBTQIA+-phobic language are just some of the many forms of harassment in a new, wider code of conduct for the workplace on which victims can rely to get employers to take action.

While there had been no proper concept of bullying in the workplace before, the amended code now provides that any form of harassment must be dealt with by means of an investigation and either a formal or informal disciplinary process. Perpetrators and victims can now include anyone working at or visiting the business premises. The amended the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace came into effect on 18 March this year. “The workplace is becoming more diverse, leading to an increase in workplace and corporate bullying. As such there was a need for wider protection of employees when it comes to harassment," explained labour law expert Sunil Hansjee. The new code encourages employers to adopt a zero-tolerance attitude toward harassment in the workplace. It places more responsibility on employers to educate employees about what harassment is. Employers who fail to take adequate steps to eliminate harassment within a reasonable time may render themselves vicariously liable for damages even if the harassment consists of a single incident. The test for harassment takes into account whether it was unwanted, the nature thereof and the impact on the victim. The different types of harassment are listed in the Fin24 report.

• Read the full original of the informative report in the above regard by Carin Smith at Fin24

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