DOLE asks employers to have clear sexual harassment policies

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) yesterday asked employers to have clear policies on sexual harassment in their workplaces to prevent this “from disrupting workers’ efficiency and productivity.”

Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz said that employers take such incidents in stride because they would also be “liable for damages arising from acts of sexual harassment committed in workplaces if they were informed of such acts by the offended party and yet no immediate action is taken.”

“Employers are responsible not only in protecting workers’ rights and dignity but also in preventing acts like sexual harassment that would result in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment which is harmful to employees’ productivity,” she noted.

Baldoz made the call amid complaints of sexual harassment of five restaurant workers against the manager of Toki Japanese Fusion and Fine Dining Restaurant in Binangonan, Rizal.

The workers also accused the manager of unfair treatment regarding application of leaves and work schedules.

“After a series of conciliation and mediation conferences, the parties agreed to measures that settled their dispute,” she added.

Baldoz said the liability of employers is provided for in Republic Act 7877, or “An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment Unlawful in the Employment, Education, Training Environment, and for Other Purposes.”

The law states that “it is the duty of the employer to prevent, or deter, the commission of acts of sexual harassment and to provide the procedures for the resolution, settlement, or prosecution of acts of sexual harassment.” –Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)