The ability of the maritime sector to successfully combat harassment and bullying on board ships highly depends on the effectiveness of company policies and other complementary measures. This includes how they are developed, implemented, applied and monitored.

Drawing inspiration from an array of company policies and complementary initiatives, ICS and its global network of shipowners and operators have produced this set of industry principles for establishing effective measures to combat harassment and bullying.

All shipowners and operators are being strongly encouraged to take these ICS principles into account, when reviewing their existing policies or establishing new policies and complementary measures to address harassment and bullying.

Five high-level principles

Company policies and complementary measures to successfully combat harassment and bullying in the maritime sector should be mindful of the following high-level principles:

1. Be data driven (e.g., surveying employees on board and ashore).
2. Foster a culture of inclusion and diversity.
3. Support all cultural backgrounds, races, religions and faith.
4. Treat complaints of harassment or bullying with seriousness and treat those making complaints with respect and dignity, avoiding “victim blaming”.
5. Include a statement of strong leadership commitment to the elimination of harassment and bullying.

Eight detailed principles

Company policies and complementary measures to successfully combat harassment and bullying in the maritime sector should also be mindful of the following, more detailed, principles:

1. Define what ‘harassment and bullying’ means for your company, including examples of behaviours that constitute these actions.
2. Raise organisation wide awareness about your company’s stance and expectations regarding ‘harassment and bullying’.
3. Establish effective company policies to combat ‘harassment and bullying’ throughout your company.
4. Ensure that anti-harassment and bullying policies are
   developed through social dialogue with workers and are fully supported by senior management.
5. Consider additional measures for adoption, as a complement of existing company policies to combat ‘harassment and bullying’.
6. Identify and implement further measures, complementary to company policies to combat harassment and bullying holistically.
7. Ensure sustained improvements in your anti-harassment and
   bullying policies and complementary measures.
8. Combat harassment and bullying by fostering and promoting a
   positive work culture on board.

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