EPO Staff Committee on Harassment in the Workplace
A few days ago the Local Staff Committee The Hague (LSCTH) published slides that it had presented 2 weeks earlier. They concern abuse in the workplace with focus on the EPO. Some of the material there is applicable to any workplace, especially in Europe.
From the communication to staff:
Slides of the workshop held on 23 June 2025
Dear colleagues,
The Local Staff Committee The Hague recently organised a workshop on dignity at work.
The goal of this session was to raise awareness, inform staff of their rights and available resources, and encourage everyone to take action — whether as a target, a witness, or simply as a colleague who wants to contribute to a respectful and safe work environment.
Read the slides.
Harassment — whether verbal, physical, psychological or sexual — can have serious consequences on mental and physical well-being. Yet, many cases go unaddressed due to fear, shame, or simply not knowing how to react. By raising awareness and talking openly about these issues, we can create a culture where inappropriate behaviour is not ignored, excused, or normalised.
Harassment includes unwelcome, severe or recurring conduct which has the purpose or effect of humiliating or degrading someone, as well as any form of sexual harassment — whether expressed verbally, in writing, or through physical behaviour.
If you ever feel that you are not being treated with dignity, there are steps you can take. You can speak up, if you feel safe to do so, for example by saying “I heard…” and “That made me feel…”.
You are also entitled to step away from the situation — disconnecting or leaving is a valid and acceptable reaction.
It helps to keep a written record of what happened, when, where, and who was involved, using clear and factual language.
Most importantly, don’t hesitate to seek support. You can reach out to a Confidential Counsellor, your staff representatives, SUEPO, Occupational Health, or the Employee Assistance Programme.
If you witness a colleague being treated without dignity, your reaction matters. A simple gesture of support, intervening safely, or reporting what you saw can make a real difference. We all have a role to play in creating a safe and respectful workplace.
Harassment has no place at the EPO. Together, we can draw clear boundaries, support one another, and promote a culture where dignity is the norm.
Dare to speak up.
Your Local Staff Committee The Hague - LSCTH
As we said last night, the head of the EPO, António Campinos, shouted the F word at staff, including female staff.
There's no dignity at the EPO when managers not only break the law but also bully people who oppose law-breaking.
Anyway, here are all the slides.
In the past, the EPO leveraged a mirage or a false guise of "protecting staff" to spy on staff and attack staff representatives. █