Photo: Unsplash
Photo: Unsplash
Some of us might have spent the last two years working from home, but for those of us returning to the office in 2022, it’s vital to note that the Department of Labour has published a new guidelines for ALL staff in the workplace. The new ‘Code of Conduct’ aims to stamp out employment-related harassment.
New workplace ‘Code of Conduct’ becomes law
The refreshed laws, which replace existing legislation on workplace harassment, are certainly an eye-opener. South Africa’s new Code of Conduct provides clear and extensive advise to both employers and employees, about what constitutes unfair behaviour between colleagues, superiors, and subordinates.
“This Code identifies the steps employers must take to eliminate harassment, including the development and implementation of policies that create workplaces which are free from harassment, in which employers and employees respect each other’s dignity, privacy, and their rights to equality.”
Department of Employment
‘Passive-aggressive behaviours’ outlawed under new harassment rules
However, one particular section has got tongues wagging. The new rules came into effect on Friday 18 March, after Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi signed off on the all-important documents. Exactly halfway through the 30-page document, we get onto a section about ‘passive-aggressive or covert harassment’.
This part reveals that workers could get themselves into trouble if they are caught engaging in certain negative behaviours. Some actions are more extreme than others, but it’s now feasible that someone could take action against you, if you’re eye-rolls and sarcastic outbursts become a problem.
A range of disciplinary sanctions can be brought in for anyone found guilty of committing workplace harassment, ranging from warnings to dismissals. In extreme cases, civil litigation cases can be brought forward.
“Passive-aggressive or covert harassment may include negative gossip or jokes at someone else’s expense, sarcasm, condescending eye-contact [such as eye-rolling], facial expressions/gestures, mimicking to cause ridicule, ‘invisible’ treatment, marginalisation, social and professional exclusion, and deliberate sabotage.”
Department of Employment
