Best Behaviour

Dec 08, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka's corporate sector has launched an initiative to encourage employers to adopt a code of conduct to combat sexual harassment in the workplace about which complaints are on the rise. Guidelines formulated by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) and the Employers' Federation of Ceylon (EFC) aim to promote gender equality and create awareness on sexual harassment in workplaces, officials said Friday.

"The CCC-EFC initiative will encourage employees to adopt and implement a code of conduct and procedures to address sexual harassment at workplace and on creating awareness on issues among employers and employees," the organizations said in a joint statement.

"Complaints relating to sexual harassment at the workplace have been raised more frequently in the recent past than before. The guidelines set out in the Code help an employer to handle such issues in an effective, transparent and consistent manner."

Victims of sexual harassment opt to keep silent to protect themselves from social stigma and retaliation at workplaces.

The organizations said that it is important that more employers make a positive commitment to effectively implement the guidelines set out in the Code