ow to Prevent Violence and Workplace Harassment in Lithuania?

A new decree by the Chief State Labour Inspector of Lithuania has introduced mandatory violence and harassment prevention measures in the workplace. The rules, which are now in force, outline employers’ main responsibilities to protect employees and create a safer working environment.

Employer Obligations Under the New Rules

Employers must implement the following mandatory measures to prevent workplace violence and harassment:

Clear prevention policy. Develop and enforce a written policy preventing violence and harassment.
Regular employee training. Conduct training at least once every three years to help employees recognise and prevent incidents.
Anonymous reporting system. Establish a secure and anonymous way for employees to report concerns.
Investigation procedures. Define clear steps for handling reports of violence or harassment.
Psychological support. Offer psychological assistance to victims.
Accountability measures. Enforce disciplinary actions for violations of the prevention policy.

Key Recommendations for Employers

To ensure compliance and create a genuinely safe workplace, we recommend taking the following steps:

Update workplace policies. Revise internal policies to explicitly define and prohibit violence and harassment, including misconduct by management.
Implement regular training. Conduct frequent training sessions for employees and managers to foster awareness and prevention.
Establish confidential reporting channels. Encourage employees to report issues safely and without fear of retaliation.
Ensure compliance and avoid fines. Regularly review policies, assign responsibility for enforcement, and stay current with legal requirements.
Support victims. Offer counselling, legal assistance, and necessary workplace adjustments for affected employees.

Why acting now is critical?

Failure to comply with these new requirements can lead to legal consequences, financial penalties, and reputational damage. Beyond legal risks, fostering a safe and respectful workplace is essential for employee well-being, productivity, and retention.

Need legal guidance? ECOVIS ProventusLaw can help you

Navigating new compliance requirements can be complex. As a law firm specialising in employment law and workplace compliance, we can help you:
Review and update your internal policies.
Develop training programs tailored to your industry. These programs can be intended for management or all employees.
Set up effective reporting and investigation procedures. We can support companies with the ‘ECOVIS Whistleblowing system’. More can be found here.

Ensure full compliance with Lithuanian labour regulations