New Swiss initiative helps SMEs tackle sexual harassment in the workplace

When a male employee at the Hotel Bären in Emmental repeatedly made unwanted advances toward a colleague, the hotel’s HR lead Anke Sandor turned to external assistance and learned about KMU konkret+. The initiative, launched by nine German-Swiss specialist offices, provides SMEs with up to 250 employees with training, guideline templates and advisory support to prevent sexual and sexist harassment. Authorities note that smaller businesses frequently lag behind larger ones in implementing protective measures, a gap that widened after the pandemic.

Experts such as Aner Voloder and Barbara Ruf stress that early intervention and clear policies are essential to change workplace culture. The programme encourages firms to act promptly when any team member feels uncomfortable, rather than waiting for a high-profile case. By offering practical resources, KMU konkret+ hopes to reduce incidents and improve overall employee safety.