Equality

Equality, discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace

Special reporting channels for affected persons: the external whistleblower system at Labor Berlin

Labor Berlin promotes equality between women and men and has set itself the goal of creating equal opportunities and combating discrimination against women. This is also intended to emphasise the importance of a cultural change for more equality in working life.

Discrimination, boundary violations and sexual harassment are present everywhere in society and therefore also in companies. Women are often victims of so-called multiple discrimination.

Labor Berlin’s duties as an employer

It is not uncommon for the workplace to become a crime scene. The employer is obliged to protect employees not only on the basis of the General Equal Treatment Act (in particular Section 12 AGG), but also on the basis of its duties of care and protection arising from the employment contract. § Section 13 AGG stipulates that in cases of discrimination within the company, for example on the basis of gender, sexual identity or origin, information about the body responsible for handling complaints must be publicised.

As an employer, Labor Berlin fulfils these protection obligations and thus creates a climate of trust in the workplace. However, it is often difficult for those affected to openly name the offence and take internal paths, also for fear of (further) discrimination.

Labor Berlin has taken a clear stance against discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace and has therefore decided to set up a protected reporting channel in the form of an external whistleblower system. The aim should be to create a culture of looking and not looking within the company. By setting up an external, confidential and anonymised whistleblowing system, the inhibition threshold of victims of discrimination and sexualised violence is lowered as far as possible.

Labor Berlin is supported by the Central Women’s and Equal Opportunities Officer of the Charité and the Berlin law firm FS-PP.

The external whistleblower system for discrimination incidents: confidential receipt of reports
The lawyers at FS-PP Berlin have many years of experience as external legal ombudspersons for public and private companies. FS-PP Berlin are therefore experienced in dealing with these issues, considering the interests of injured parties and companies, dealing appropriately with possible perpetrators, taking into account labour law regulations, reputational risks and any communication with the investigating authorities.

Victims and witnesses who wish to provide more than just information about incidents of discrimination can choose whether they would like to have a confidential discussion with a lawyer. Both lawyer Dr Niklas Auffermann and lawyer Sophia Hoffmeister specialise in criminal law and have particular experience in this area

FS-PP Berlin accepts information confidentially, subjects the respective facts to a legal review and then – in the event of approval by the whistleblower – discusses further steps with the respective contact person at Labor Berlin.