The first legislation in Cyprus on violence and harassment in the workplace has been established through the publication of the Prevention and Combating of Violence and Harassment in the Workplace Law 42(I) of 2025, on the 11/04/2025.
It is noted that the Republic of Cyprus has ratified the Convention No. 190 of the International Labour Office (ILO) with the International Labour Organization Convention on Violence and Harassment at Work (Convention No. 190) (Ratification) Law of 2024.
Purpose of the Law:
The new Law aims to prevent and combat violence and harassment in the workplace through the civil and/or criminal law and by establishing extrajudicial procedures.
In particular, the Law aims to-
(a) protect complainants, victims and witnesses from victimization or retaliation against them;
(b) protect the privacy of the people involved and confidentiality, to the extent possible and as appropriate, and ensure that confidentiality requirements are not abused; and
(c) recognizing the effects of domestic violence and, to the extent reasonably practicable, mitigating its impact on work.
Scope of Application of the Law:
The provisions of the Law apply:
- to employees, in relation to activities related to their employment and conduct in the workplace, which constitute violence or harassment in accordance with the provisions of this Law;
- to employers, regarding their actions or behaviours that are the result of submitting a complaint or reporting or repelling acts of violence or harassment in the workplace.
- to third parties who have a customer or contractual relationship or provide services in the workplace or to the employer or to members of the public who visit the workplace or the employer and in relation to acts or behavior that constitute violence or harassment.
The Law does not apply:
- in relation to acts or omissions that constitute discrimination based on sex in accordance with the provisions of the Equal Treatment of Men and Women in Employment and Professional Training Law.
- in relation to acts or omissions that constitute discrimination on grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age or sexual orientation in accordance with the provisions of the Equal Treatment in Employment and Labour Law.
Criminal treatment:
Natural persons who are responsible for violence or harassment in the workplace are guilty of a criminal offence and, if convicted, are subject to a prison sentence not exceeding three (3) years or a fine not exceeding ten thousand euros (€10,000) or in both of these penalties, provided that the act is not punished more strictly than the provisions of any other Law in force.
It is worth noting that the law also provides for the criminal liability of legal persons, who are liable for the commission of an offense provided for in the Law, when this is committed by a person who acts, either individually or as a member of a body of the said legal organization and holds a position therein which is based on the authority of- (a) representation of the legal person, or (b) decision-making on behalf of the legal person; or (c) exercising control within the legal person.
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Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to consult with legal professionals for advice specific to their individual circumstances.