The Regulation of Workplace Sexual Harassment in Greece: Legislation and Case Law Analysis

Abstract

Although it is a well-known fact that sexual harassment is a common practice in Greek workplaces carried out both by employers and fellow employees, the State has not adopted any relevant civil and/or criminal legislative measures specifically to deal with it. However, there exists a general legal framework consisting of provisions in the Constitution, in the Civil Code, in the Criminal Code, and in various collective employment contracts, as well as general principles of Labour Law. Arguably, this framework does not afford to victims of sexual harassment a satisfactory regime for seeking redress. The present article analyses this legal framework and, on the basis of the applicable case law, shows how it has been applied in practice and how, on occasion, the courts have expanded its scope to overcome legislative shortcomings.