Meeting of Experts to develop a Code of practice on
Violence and Stress at Work in Services:
A Threat to Productivity and Decent Work

Geneva, 8 - 15 October 2003

Participation

The Meeting will be composed of 36 experts: twelve nominated by governments of ILO member States chosen by the Governing Body of the ILO; twelve experts nominated by the Governing Body after consultations with the Employers' group; and twelve experts nominated by the Governing Body after consultation with the Workers' group. Observers from a number of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations will also attend.

ILO codes of practice

The practical recommendations of ILO codes of practice are intended for the use of all those, both in the public and private sectors, who have responsibility for safety and health management in relation to specific occupational hazards, sectors of activity, or equipment. Codes of practice are not intended to replace national laws or regulations or accepted standards. They are drawn up with the objective of providing guidance to those who may be engaged, through social dialogue, in the framing of provisions of this kind or to elaborate programmes of prevention or protection at the national or enterprise levels. They are addressed in particular to governmental and public authorities, employers and workers and their organizations as well as management and safety and health committees in related enterprises.

Codes of practice are primarily designed as a basis for prevention and protective measures and are considered as ILO technical standards in occupational safety and health. They contain general principles and specific guidance which concern in particular the surveillance of the working environment and of workers' health; education and training; record-keeping; the role and duties of the competent authority, employers, workers, manufacturers and suppliers; and consultation and cooperation.

Purpose of the Meeting

The Meeting will consider and review a draft and adopt a code of practice.

Code of practice

The practical recommendations of this publication are intended to provide guidance to ILO constituents and all those responsible for addressing violence and stress in services sectors. It is based on an analysis of the extent, nature and causes of violence and stress in public and private services, and of the potential inter-relationship between violence and stress. It identifies the roles and responsibilities of Governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and the public, customers and clients. Through the processes of identification, recognition, assessment, recording and notification of violence and stress in services sectors, the code lays the foundations for risk assessment, prevention, reduction, management and coping strategies to address these problems. It concludes with an emphasis on the development of policy on occupational violence and stress in services sectors, through dialogue and cooperation between the social partners, training, continuous improvement, and joint assessment, monitoring and evaluation of workplace policies and practices. The appendices to the Code include a bibliography, a selection of published guidelines on violence and stress, a listing of relevant legal sources and a glossary of additional terms.

Following the meeting of experts, it is planned that the Code will be widely disseminated by the ILO, and social dialogue activities encouraged and facilitated to put the Code into practice around the world. It is intended that the provisions of the Code will assist in reducing or eliminating stress and violence at workplaces in services sectors around the globe. The Code of practice, English - pdf, 116k, is available online..

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