Published on 1 February 2026

Respect in the workplace

The FDFA protects all employees in the workplace. They should be able develop their skills and carry out their tasks in a good working environment. The FDA expects its employees to behave in a respectful manner with one another. Sexual harassment is not tolerated in the FDFA and is subject to sanctions.

“All staff are entitled to a working environment free of sexual harassment” (Equal opportunities in the workplace: FDFA Guidelines 2022) — © FDFA

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment in the workplace is any behavior with a sexual connotation or any other gender-based behavior that is unwanted by the person who is subjected to it and that violates their dignity.

It is not the harasser's intention that counts but rather how the affected person experiences the behavior. Sexual harassment makes another person feel insecure and humiliated through words, gestures or actions.

Examples of sexual harassment:

• Verbal sexual harassment, e.g. sexually suggestive comments, jokes, questions, requests, demands or threats. The harassment may occur in person, via email, telephone, texting or social media.
• Non-verbal sexual harassment, such as leering glances, unwelcome staring at a person's body, and displaying sexually explicit material.
• Physical sexual harassment, such as unwanted touching, hugging. stroking and kissing.

Documents

• Equal opportunities in the workplace: FDFA Guidelines

  PDF250.15 kB13 January 2026

Legal bases

• Federal Act of 24 March 1995 on Gender Equality (Gender Equality Act, GEA) (Art. 4)
• Federal Personnel Act (de, fr, it)
• Federal Personnel Ordinance, Article 6 - Gender equality (de, fr, it)

Links

• Sexual harassment in the workplace - Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE)
• SECO: Sexual harassment in the workplace - A guide for employees
• FOPER intranet: Sexual harassment

Spanish version