Ombudsman for Equality

The most important thing is to put an end to harassment

Workplaces and educational institutions should ideally have procedures for dealing with harassment. The procedures and measures for preventing harassment can be discussed in connection with drafting annual equality plans, for example.

The most important thing is to put and end to harassment. Anyone who has been the victim of harassment and feels that an employer, an educational institution, a labour market association or a goods or service provider has neglected their duty to take appropriate action to stop reported sexual or gender-based harassment can claim for compensation for discrimination from a district court under the Finnish Equality Act. Claims for compensation must be brought within two years of the violation of the prohibition of discrimination.

Harassers may be held liable under the Criminal Code of Finland and the Finnish Tort Liability Act. Harassment in a working environment can also be deemed to constitute discrimination in the workplace or a violation of the Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Act. If sexual harassment includes intentional violations of physical integrity, the provisions on assault and sexual offences governed by the Criminal Code of Finland may also apply.