Filenews 27 October 2025 - by Evangelia Sizopoulou
In the wake of the recent case of sexual harassment under investigation at the Ministry of Education, the Code of Practice for the prevention and treatment of sexual harassment and harassment in the public education service was sent to schools. The Ministry calls on the school administrations to inform their staff about it.
The purpose of the Code is to prevent and deal with harassment and sexual harassment and concerns all employees (men and women) in the public education service, including permanent public educators, permanent teachers and educational contracts.
As mentioned, the Code:
>> Informs the employees of the public education service regarding the concepts of "harassment" and "sexual harassment", of the protection provided by the current legislation against conduct that may constitute sexual harassment or harassment, of their rights whenever they may be subjected to harassment or sexual harassment. and the actions they should take when they consider themselves to be victims of harassment or sexual harassment.
>> Promotes the education and training of employees regarding the importance of: a) the principle of equal treatment between men and women, b) the prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sex or sexual orientation and c) the prevention, treatment and combating of harassment or sexual harassment.
>> It encourages employees to participate in and contribute to the prevention and response to harassment and sexual harassment in the workplace and to the creation of a friendly working environment for all employees regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
>> It encourages each competent authority to adopt and implement a policy for the prevention of harassment and sexual harassment in the workplace and a mechanism for monitoring/evaluating its performance for the purpose of its adjustment/improvement.
>> Promotes cooperation between each competent authority and employees to maintain a healthy and safe working environment with special and stable characteristics of mutual respect, courtesy, honesty, understanding and mutual support.
It is a tool that aims to provide immediate protection to any employee who considers that he or she is being sexually harassed or harassed or has been subjected to harassment or sexual harassment as well as from possible retaliatory actions against him/her due to rejection or filing a complaint about harassment or sexual harassment.
At the same time, it defines the obligations of each competent Authority whenever it suspects an incident of harassment or sexual harassment or becomes aware of such an incident or receives a relevant complaint and at the same time, guides the competent Authority for the correct and immediate handling of complaints of harassment or sexual harassment and for the protection of the victims, but also of the other parties involved in the investigation of each complaint.
It is also clarified that the competent Authority must protect the employees and is obliged to take measures. Otherwise, the competent Authority is jointly responsible with the person who committed the prohibited acts in question, in accordance with the Code.
