Ministry of Education Implements New Regulations Against Workplace Harassment
New guidelines aim to prevent, investigate, and sanction workplace harassment, ensuring a safe and confidential reporting process.
The Ministry of Education in Costa Rica has approved and published a new regulation aimed at preventing, investigating, and sanctioning workplace harassment across all employment relationships within its organization.
This initiative is intended to establish clear procedures for the reporting and investigation of harassment claims.
Minister Leonardo Sánchez emphasized that the new regulations will guarantee a safe, confidential, and fair process for individuals experiencing workplace harassment, acknowledging that many refrain from reporting due to fear of reprisals.
The Ministry specified that the new guidelines will also apply to individuals in positions of trust.
The provisions of the 'Reglamento para Prevenir, Investigar y Sancionar el Acoso Laboral' will cover harassment behaviors perpetrated by ministry officials against third parties providing services within MEP facilities, regional offices, or affiliated institutions.
Minister Sánchez characterized workplace harassment as an 'unacceptable practice' that infringes on the fundamental rights of employees and negatively affects workplace dynamics.
He stated that the new framework aims to create a safe, equitable environment free from violence.
The detailed regulations include a comprehensive definition and classification of various forms of workplace harassment, including vertical (both ascending and descending), horizontal, mixed, and moral harassment.
Additionally, the regulations establish an efficient and transparent procedure for receiving, investigating, and sanctioning harassment cases.
Concerning penalties, the Ministry of Education indicated that sanctions would be proportional to the severity of the offenses, ranging from suspensions to dismissal without employer liability.
Moreover, the Ministry plans to create a statistical registry to monitor the incidence of workplace harassment and strengthen preventive strategies.
Workplace harassment can manifest through intentional and unjustified behaviors or omissions such as mistreatment, persecution, discrimination, obstruction, lack of protection, and abuse, according to the Education Ministry.
This initiative is intended to establish clear procedures for the reporting and investigation of harassment claims.
Minister Leonardo Sánchez emphasized that the new regulations will guarantee a safe, confidential, and fair process for individuals experiencing workplace harassment, acknowledging that many refrain from reporting due to fear of reprisals.
The Ministry specified that the new guidelines will also apply to individuals in positions of trust.
The provisions of the 'Reglamento para Prevenir, Investigar y Sancionar el Acoso Laboral' will cover harassment behaviors perpetrated by ministry officials against third parties providing services within MEP facilities, regional offices, or affiliated institutions.
Minister Sánchez characterized workplace harassment as an 'unacceptable practice' that infringes on the fundamental rights of employees and negatively affects workplace dynamics.
He stated that the new framework aims to create a safe, equitable environment free from violence.
The detailed regulations include a comprehensive definition and classification of various forms of workplace harassment, including vertical (both ascending and descending), horizontal, mixed, and moral harassment.
Additionally, the regulations establish an efficient and transparent procedure for receiving, investigating, and sanctioning harassment cases.
Concerning penalties, the Ministry of Education indicated that sanctions would be proportional to the severity of the offenses, ranging from suspensions to dismissal without employer liability.
Moreover, the Ministry plans to create a statistical registry to monitor the incidence of workplace harassment and strengthen preventive strategies.
Workplace harassment can manifest through intentional and unjustified behaviors or omissions such as mistreatment, persecution, discrimination, obstruction, lack of protection, and abuse, according to the Education Ministry.
