Retail supervisor fined for harassment and workplace offences

A Helsinki District Court has fined a retail supervisor 50 day-fines for sexual harassment, employment discrimination and an occupational safety offence, Yle reports.

The case concerns repeated sexually suggestive harassment of a young employee in 2024. The court said it involved messages, images and touching.

The supervisor must also pay the employee compensation for suffering and temporary harm.

The court found that the employee had not consented to the conduct and that it was liable to violate their sexual self-determination. It said sexual harassment can also constitute an occupational safety offence, and that employers or their representatives must take all possible steps to address harassment and other inappropriate treatment at work. The duty is particularly important when a supervisor is responsible.

The judgment is not final.