WRITTEN QUESTION E-0523/00

by Giovanni Pittella (PSE) to the Commission

(28 February 2000)

Subject: Investigating and preventing mobbing in Europe

The scientific literature defines mobbing as systematic and continuous victimisation of an employee, by his colleagues or superiors, with a view to forcing him out of his job. It involves repeated non-physical attacks of various kinds and degrees including continuous and unjustified criticism, slander, making the victim perform thankless or degrading tasks, and any action that could damage his professional or personal standing in the eyes of third persons, superiors or business contacts.

The consequences of such incidents should not be underestimated. The first studies indicate that mobbing is not only detrimental to the victims' health, but causes firms significant social costs. It is reported that the work rate of a person subjected to such treatment can decline by 80 %, as it affects workers' performance, resistance and concentration and can eventually result in physical and psychological illnesses involving protracted absences from work.

Recently, this problem has aroused growing interest at European level. The various national statutory provisions do not at present provide an adequate basis for the establishment of measures to prevent mobbing, protect the victims and provide compensation. A few references to the subject exist in the legislation, but there is no separate body of law aimed at providing a global and effective response.

What does the Commission intend to do to address this problem in Europe?

Does it agree that it is necessary to look into this delicate and important subject more closely by, for example, carrying out a comparative study of mobbing in the various countries of the European Union and examining possible solutions?

What internal measures does the Commission intend to take in connection with the administrative reforms currently under way?

Answer given by Ms Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(27 April 2000)

The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member that this subject should be investigated more closely and, indeed, the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work has set up a working party on the prevention of violence in the workplace. The working document on this subject, drawn up by an institute at the Commission's request, and a publication by the ILO (International Labour Organisation) on violence in the workplace, also presented to the working party, have been forwarded directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament.

At its first meeting in October 1999, the working party decided to investigate the subject of violence in the workplace in general, including mobbing and sexual harassment at work.

The working party is currently drawing up an opinion on this subject which is due to be discussed at the plenary meeting of the Advisory Committee planned for October 2000. On the basis of this opinion, the Commission will be able to assess the need for new Community measures to protect workers from violence in the workplace.

As part of the reform of the Staff Regulations, Action 47 of the White Paper(1) on reforming the Commission expressly provides for the adoption of provisions to protect the dignity of the person in the workplace.

With regard to sexual harassment in particular, which may be considered to be one of the specific aspects of violence in the workplace, in 1990 the Commission published a code of conduct for its staff, which was supplemented and updated in 1996.

(1) COM(2000) 200.