National Guidelines in France - Sexual Harassment

Ministry of Employment and Solidarity

Circular of the Department of Working Relationships No. 93-2 of 11 February 1993 (Application of Act No. 92-1179 of 2 November 1992 on the Abuse of Authority in Sexual Matter in Work Relationships)

Circulaire du Département des Relations de Travail n° 93-2 du 11 février 1993 (Application de la Loi n° 92-1179 du 2 novembre 1992 relative à l’abus d’autorité en matière sexuelle dans les relations de travail) 

The Circular describes sexual harassment is an abuse of authority that must not happen between colleagues. However a situation of subordination is necessary for the act to be characterised as sexual harassment.

Apart from the employer himself/herself, the expression "any person abusing from the authority imparted to him/her by his/her functions" means either:

• employees without hierarchical relations with the victim but who have authority over the victim due to his/her functions (eg. the representative of the trade union); or
• persons outside the enterprise but who may have a strong influence over the victim (eg. a client of the enterprise) (paragraph 1.1).

Harassment arises either:

• through promises, advantages or pressures with the aim of obtaining sexual favours; or
• through threats or counter-measures in case of refusal.

Concerning prevention and information, actions may notably consist in the provisions of information to the employees on the applicable legal provisions. (paragraph 2.1). In addition, the Hygiene, Safety and Working Conditions Committee (see the Chapter on Legislative and Administrative Institutions) may take initiatives to implement actions of information on, and of prevention of, sexual harassment. However, this does not impede any other actions that may be carried out by the other institutions representative of the personnel (paragraph 2.3).

Ministry of Public Service, Reform of the State and Decentralisation

Circular of the Ministry of Public Function No. 93-88 of 1 December 1993 on the Application of Act No. 92-1179 of 2 November 1992 on the Abuse of Authority in Sexual Matter in Work Relationships

Circulaire du Ministère de la Fonction Publique No. 93-88 du 1 décembre 1993 relative à l’application dans la fonction publique de la Loi n° 92-1179 du 2 novembre 1993 relative à l’abus d’autorité en matière sexuelle dans les relations de travail

This Circular recalls that abuse of authority is condemned by the Penal Code and the General Status of Public Servants. Paragraph 1 restates the various forms of sexual harassment, its goal and the necessary relation of authority for its existence. It gives further details on the disciplinary and penal sanctions and the organisation of prevention and information dissemination

The victim of a discriminatory measure has three options:

• a hierarchical claim before the ministry or the management authority;
• a contentious claim before the administrative judge requesting disciplinary sanctions; or,
• a claim under penal jurisdiction.