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Commitment to a Safe and Respectful Workplace

ÍSOR is committed to creating a safe and respectful workplace for its employees. Bullying, gender-based and sexual harassment, and any form of violence (hereafter referred to as EKKO) are not tolerated under any circumstances in the workplace, and all reports of such behavior are taken seriously.

Prevention

The prevention work focuses on creating conditions and a culture that enhance employee well-being and ensure their safety. ÍSOR has established the following guidelines for EKKO prevention:

  • Identify and assess risk factors in the work environment and have a written plan that is familiar to employees concerning workplace safety and health, based on risk assessments in accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act No. 46/1980.
  • Regularly review the effectiveness of methods and after any EKKO case that may arise.
  • Train managers in EKKO procedures and psychological first aid. Managers are also required to attend refresher training every two to three years.
  • Educate employees on the signs, consequences, and procedures related to EKKO every two years or as needed.

What is EKKO?

ÍSOR adheres to the definitions provided in Regulation No. 1009/2015, Article 3, regarding actions against bullying, sexual harassment, gender-based harassment, and violence in the workplace.

Bullying is repeated unfair and/or offensive behavior toward colleagues. Bullying may manifest as negative and/or threatening repeated interactions that cause distress to the colleague. Disagreements over tasks, interests, and differing opinions are not considered bullying. A key aspect of bullying is how the recipient perceives the insult or inappropriate behavior. Whether it stems from thoughtlessness or a deliberate intent to humiliate is less important. Each individual must assess what behavior they tolerate and from whom, and they should report it if they feel wronged. It is emphasized that bullying involves repeated actions that persist over a prolonged period.

Gender-based harassment is behavior related to the victim’s gender, which is unwelcome and has the purpose or effect of violating the person’s dignity, creating intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive conditions. Harassment may be physical, verbal, or symbolic. A single incident may constitute gender-based harassment if it is severe.

Sexual harassment involves any sexual behavior that is unwelcome to the victim and has the purpose or effect of violating the person’s dignity, particularly when the behavior creates intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive conditions. The behavior may be verbal, symbolic, and/or physical. Flirting is not considered sexual harassment unless it involves repeated and unwelcome behavior.

Violence is behavior that can result in physical or psychological harm. This also includes threats of violence, coercion, or the deprivation of the individual’s freedom. Sexual violence is a violation of an individual’s sexual freedom, punishable under Chapter XXII of the General Penal Code.

Gender-based violence is violence based on gender that leads to or could lead to physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to the victim, including threats of such violence, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of freedom, whether in private life or public settings.