Principle 7: Workers exercise their rights

Businesses enable workers to exercise their rights to and responsibilities in a GBVH-free workplace.

Preventing GBVH requires a strong culture of fairness, equality and zero tolerance in the workplace. Workers should understand their rights and specific workplace policies, and feel empowered to report inappropriate behaviour whether directed at them or others as active bystanders.

Businesses’ efforts with all workers, including management, should focus on: 1) supporting worker agency, 2) promoting gender equality¹ in the workplace, and 3) changing beliefs, attitudes and norms that underpin GBVH to address root causes of GBVH and build safe, respectful workplace cultures.

Cost sharing may be required. See Principle 5 on the importance of purchasing practices, and Principle 2 regarding shared responsibility.

Support workers’ agency

7.1 Provide all workers with accessible information and regular training on their labour rights including freedom of association and collective bargaining.

• Reference international standards (such as ILO C190), local laws and regulations to help workers understand the strength of protections and business obligations.
• To maintain workers’ understanding, hold regular conversations and trainings on GBVH and expectations about behaviours, workers’ rights, and business and workers’ responsibilities (see Principle 1). For example, incorporate reminders, review of concepts and brief discussions into regular OHS toolbox talks.²
• Remove barriers to training participation and understanding. For example, consider literacy levels, language needs and provide training within paid working hours. Proactively reach out to workers at risk, including migrant, seasonal, temporary and sub-contracted workers.

7.2 Ensure management capacity to engage in social dialogue with workers and collective bargaining with trade unions. 

• Train management on labour rights along with skills in communication, including active listening, negotiation and conflict resolution to support worker and trade union engagement activities.

Greater gender equality

7.3 Implement gender responsive actions to promote gender equality.

• Collaborate with workers, their representatives/trade unions, NGOs and gender experts to create business initiatives to:
  • champion gender equality, workers’ rights (see 7.1) and diverse women’s leadership,
  • actively support and promote the progression of diverse women.

Challenge beliefs, attitudes and norms that lead to GBVH

7.4 Engage with all workers, particularly men and those in authority, on GBVH and gender equality.

• Create safe spaces for all workers to share views and challenge the beliefs, attitudes and norms that contribute to GBVH. Ground conversations in shared human rights values, such as a common belief in respect and dignity. If required, engage gender experts such as NGOs specialising with engaging men to directly facilitate or train trainers.
• Involve communities and local leaders where relevant as rightsholders and key stakeholders to ensure support and shared commitment to addressing GBVH.