Equality and non-discrimination at work
All discrimination, unequal or inappropriate treatment, bullying, and harassment are prohibited in the workplace.
On this page, you’ll find answers to questions such as:
All employees must be treated fairly and equally. Discrimination, unequal treatment, bullying and harassment are prohibited by law, and the employer must ensure a safe and respectful working environment. Read more.
Employers must not discriminate against employees on grounds such as age, origin, language, religion, family situation, health, sexual orientation or gender. Everyone must be treated equally. Read more.
Bullying includes things like mockery, threats, isolation and unfounded criticism. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, sexual innuendo, offensive comments or touching. All such behaviour is prohibited in the workplace. Read more.
Tell them that their behaviour is hurtful, and ask them to stop. If the situation persists, inform your employer. If necessary, you can turn to your workplace’s shop steward, union representative, safety representative or trade union. Read more.
The prohibition of discrimination and unfair treatment means that everyone must treat each other fairly and equally in the workplace.
The legislation (Non-Discrimination Act, the Act on Equality between Women and Men, and the Employment Contracts Act) stipulates that the employer must not place employees in an unequal position. None of the following may affect the treatment of employees:
- age
- ethnic origin or nationality: ethnicity or the country in which you were born
- the language you speak
- religion, beliefs or opinions
- political activities, being a member of a trade union or participating in the activities of a trade union
- family relationships, such as pregnancy or being on family leave
- state of health or disability
- sexual orientation
- gender, gender identity or gender expression
- other personal characteristics.
If you or a colleague is discriminated against in the workplace, ask your employer to intervene. If the discrimination will not stop, talk to the shop steward or union representative or call your union. You can also ask for help from occupational health care or the occupational safety and health authorities.
Bullying and harassment in the workplace
Bullying and harassment are prohibited in the workplace. This means that everyone must be respected and treated well. In a good work environment, everyone is encouraged, and no one is discriminated against, bullied or harassed. The Occupational Safety and Health Act prohibits bullying in the workplace.
Remember that you also need to be a respectful colleague. Be kind to everyone and appreciate the work of everyone.
What is bullying?
Bullying includes, for example:
- mean and demeaning words
- screaming, threatening, pressuring
- gossip, talking badly about others, spreading false information
- segregation or exclusion from the group
- sexual harassment, meaning inappropriate touching or sexual talk that feels offensive
- refusing to speak to someone, isolating someone
- continuous criticism without a reason
- making work more difficult and unjustifiable division of tasks
- changing the terms of work agreed upon without your permission.
Not all behaviour that causes hurt feelings is bullying. For example, having different opinions or views on matters is not bullying.
What is harassment?
Sexual harassment includes:
- sexually suggestive gestures or expressions
- talk and jokes with sexual innuendos
- statements or questions about another person’s body, clothing or private life
- letters, e-mails, text messages or telephone calls with sexual innuendos
- touching
- proposals of or demands for sexual interaction.
Harassment based on gender includes:
- derogatory, demeaning or offensive language about women, men or other genders
- dismissing someone based on their gender
- bullying, when related to a person’s gender.
Everyone has the right to bodily integrity. This means that violence or threats are always prohibited at your workplace.
If you encounter violence, contact the police immediately.
What can you do if you are bullied or harassed?
Tell the person harassing or bullying you that their actions or words make you feel bad. Ask the person to stop.
If the bullying does not stop, immediately tell your employer about the bullying or harassment. The law requires employers to intervene quickly in cases of bullying.
If you’re afraid to talk to the bully, talk to your supervisor, workplace shop steward, union representative, or an occupational safety and health representative. If you cannot get help, your trade union can help you.
If you intervene in discrimination, bullying or harassment, you must not be treated poorly because of this.
The occupational safety and health authority
The occupational safety and health authority may issue a warning to an employer if the employer acts contrary to the law or has failed to draw up a non-discrimination plan. The employer must rectify this. If an employer fails to do so, a conditional fine may be imposed on them.
The occupational safety and health authority also advises people on matters related to labour laws. If the occupational safety and health authority suspects discrimination within the meaning of the Criminal Code, they must notify the police.
You can find the contact details of the occupational safety and health authority via this link .
Read more
Työsuojelu.fi
Non-Discrimination Ombudsman (in Finnish, Swedish, English, Ukrainian, Russian and several other languages), including phone helpline
Ombudsman for Equality (in Finnish, Swedish, English, Russian and some other languages), including phone helpline