Ombudsman for Equality

Sexual harassment and harassment on the basis of gender constitute discrimination under the Finnish Equality Act

Sexual harassment means unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of violating a person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Harassment on the basis of gender means unwanted conduct that is based on a person’s gender but is not of a sexual nature and has the purpose or effect of violating that person’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment can comprise, amongst other things,

• sexually insinuating gestures or expressions,
• obscene language, suggestive jokes, and remarks or questions concerning the body, clothing or private life,
• pornographic material, or letters, e-mails, text messages or telephone calls of a sexual nature,
• touching,
• suggestions or demands concerning sexual intercourse or other sexual contact, or
• rape or attempted rape.

Harassment on the basis of gender can comprise, amongst other things,

• derogatory remarks about the opposite sex,
• demeaning the opposite sex, or
• bullying in the workplace or in schools, if based on the victim’s gender.