Rules & updates

What the European Ombudsman and European Commission publish on harassment, dignity and mental health at work, followed by the standing references they work from.

About this page & coverageInstitutional updates & references

What you’ll find: Keyword-matched Ombudsman decisions and inquiries, Commission documents and Press Corner news, followed by standing staff rules and policy references maintained by hand.
Coverage and limits: The live groups are refreshed from source checks and are collapsed until opened. Standing references are editorially maintained, not daily imports, and the presence of a document does not make it a binding rule.

Ombudsman decisions & inquiries

Decisions, recommendations and inquiries found by daily source checks.

Decisions, recommendations and newly opened inquiries on how EU institutions handle harassment, dignity at work and whistleblowing. The Ombudsman does not write staff rules; the office examines whether institutions apply theirs properly. Last checked 12 October 2026.

5 Oct 2026
Decision on time the European Central Bank (ECB) took to carry out an administrative inquiry into alleged harassment, and the time it took to take follow-up action (2354/2024/PB) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
- administrative inquir
DecisionCase 2354/2024/PBEuropean Ombudsman document search
18 Sept 2026
Decision on the European Commission’s refusal to give public access to documents concerning the follow-up to an OLAF investigation (case 132/2025/ACB) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
DecisionCase 132/2025/ACBEuropean Ombudsman document search
7 Sept 2026
Decision on how the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) dealt with a complaint about harassment (case 3481/2025/ET) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
DecisionCase 3481/2025/ETEuropean Ombudsman document search
7 Sept 2026
Decision on how the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) dealt with a complaint about harassment (case 3487/2025/ET) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
DecisionCase 3487/2025/ETEuropean Ombudsman document search
22 Jul 2026
Decision on how the European Central Bank (ECB) handled certain procedural aspects related to a whistleblower report (case 637/2024/PB) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
DecisionCase 637/2024/PBEuropean Ombudsman document search
7 Jul 2026
Decision on the refusal by the European Parliament to give public access to documents related to investigations into staff misconduct concluded in 2016 by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (case 757/2025/PVV) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
DecisionCase 757/2025/PVVEuropean Ombudsman document search
27 May 2026
The alleged failure by the European Commission to reply to a request to substitute two submissions by a third one made by the complainant in the context of a call for evidence launched in August 2025 for an evaluation of the Whistleblowing Protection Directive (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
Inquiry openedCase 1073/2026/PGPEuropean Ombudsman document search
15 Apr 2026
The time taken by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) to carry out a preliminary assessment of a harassment complaint (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Inquiry openedCase 584/2026/PBEuropean Ombudsman document search
9 Apr 2026
Decision on the European Commission’s refusal to grant public access to its reasoned opinion concerning the transposition of the Whistleblower Protection Directive in Belgium (case 372/2026/PVV) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
DecisionCase 372/2026/PVVEuropean Ombudsman document search
23 Feb 2026
How the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) dealt with a complaint about harassment (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Inquiry openedCase 3487/2025/ETEuropean Ombudsman document search
23 Feb 2026
How the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) handled a complaint about harassment (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Inquiry openedCase 3481/2025/ETEuropean Ombudsman document search
17 Feb 2026
The European Commission's refusal to grant public access to its reasoned opinion concerning the transposition of the Whistleblower Directive in Belgium (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
Inquiry openedCase 372/2026/PVVEuropean Ombudsman document search
23 Jan 2026
Recommendation on how the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) dealt with harassment allegations by a Category 2 Standing Corps officer (case 456/2024/MIK) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
RecommendationCase 456/2024/MIKEuropean Ombudsman document search
21 Jan 2026
How the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) dealt with a request for public access to documents related to investigations into staff misconduct involving the European Parliament or its Members concluded in 2020 and 2021 (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
Inquiry openedCase 46/2026/PVVEuropean Ombudsman document search
19 Jan 2026
Decision on the refusal by the European Parliament to give public access to documents related to an investigation into staff misconduct concluded in 2015 by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (case 2341/2024/PVV) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
DecisionCase 2341/2024/PVVEuropean Ombudsman document search
18 Dec 2025
Decision on how the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) dealt with a request for public access to final reports and recommendations related to investigations into misconduct by EU staff that were closed in 2023 (case 2773/2025/MIG) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
DecisionCase 2773/2025/MIGEuropean Ombudsman document search
17 Dec 2025
The European External Action Service's lack of reply to a request for assistance concerning alleged harassment in a delegation (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Inquiry openedCase 3368/2025/PBEuropean Ombudsman document search
15 Dec 2025
Decision on the time taken by the European External Action Service (EEAS) to start a preliminary investigation concerning allegations of harassment (case 2275/2024/PB) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
DecisionCase 2275/2024/PBEuropean Ombudsman document search
28 Nov 2025
Decision on the European External Action Service's (EEAS) refusal to give full public access to documents related to investigations by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) involving EU staff (case 2657/2025/FA) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
DecisionCase 2657/2025/FAEuropean Ombudsman document search
17 Nov 2025
How the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation failed to respond within a reasonable time to requests for assistance under Article 24 of the EU Staff Regulations in the context of a harassment complaint (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Inquiry openedCase 3016/2025/PBEuropean Ombudsman document search
11 Nov 2025
Reply of the European Commission to the proposal for a solution from the European Ombudsman on the European Commission's refusal to give public access to documents concerning the follow-up to an OLAF investigation (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
DocumentCase 132/2025/ACBEuropean Ombudsman document search
9 Oct 2025
The European External Action Service's (EEAS) refusal to give full public access to documents related to investigations by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) involving EU staff (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
Inquiry openedCase 2657/2025/FAEuropean Ombudsman document search
8 Oct 2025
How the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) dealt with a request for public access to final reports and recommendations related to investigations into misconduct by EU staff that were closed in 2023 (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
Inquiry openedCase 2773/2025/MIGEuropean Ombudsman document search
30 Sept 2025
The failure by the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) to reply to a report about alleged harassment at the workplace (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Inquiry openedCase 2505/2025/KTEuropean Ombudsman document search
15 Sept 2025
Decision on the European External Action Service's (EEAS) refusal to give full public access to documents related to investigations by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) into staff misconduct (case 839/2025/MIG) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
DecisionCase 839/2025/MIGEuropean Ombudsman document search

Commission documents & updates

Commission documents and Press Corner updates found by daily checks.

Commission documents published in EUR-Lex and items from its Press Corner on harassment, psychosocial risk, whistleblowing, staff inquiries and the rules that give effect to the Staff Regulations. Last checked 12 October 2026.

18 Sept 2026
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on the evaluation of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013 concerning investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) (opens the official source in a new tab)
- OLAF oversight
Communication or reportCELEX 52026DC0493Commission documents in EUR-Lex / Cellar
17 Sept 2026
REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on the rules adopted by the appointing authority of each institution to give effect to the Staff Regulations (opens the official source in a new tab)
- give effect to the staff regulations
Communication or reportCELEX 52026DC0474Commission documents in EUR-Lex / Cellar
17 Dec 2025
Speech by Commissioner Lahbib at the European Parliament on Preventing Sexual Harassment in Public Institutions (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
SpeechSPEECH/25/3121Commission Press Corner
15 Feb 2023
The European Commission decides to refer 8 Member States to the Court of Justice of the European Union over the protection of whistleblowers (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
Press releaseIP/23/703Commission Press Corner
12 Mar 2019
European Commission welcomes provisional agreement to better protect whistleblowers across the EU (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
Press releaseIP/19/1604Commission Press Corner
23 Apr 2018
Frequently Asked Questions: Whistleblower protection (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
MemoMEMO/18/3442Commission Press Corner
23 Apr 2018
Whistleblower protection: Commission sets new, EU-wide rules (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
Press releaseIP/18/3441Commission Press Corner
16 Mar 2017
Antitrust: Commission introduces new anonymous whistleblower tool (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
Press releaseIP/17/591Commission Press Corner
25 Nov 2013
Ombudsman: OLAF should explain to whistleblower why it closed an investigation (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
EOEO/13/18Commission Press Corner
6 Dec 2012
Commission issues new guidelines to remind staff of whistleblowing obligations (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
Press releaseIP/12/1326Commission Press Corner
22 Nov 2010
John DALLI Member of the European Commission, responsible for Health and Consumer Policy Opening Speech "INVESTING IN WELL-BEING AT WORK – ADDRESSING PSYCHOSOCIAL RISKS IN TIMES OF CHANGE" Conference, Brussels Meeting Centre Brussels, 22 November 2010, 14:00 (opens the official source in a new tab)
- psychosocial
SpeechSPEECH/10/693Commission Press Corner
26 Apr 2007
European employers and trade unions commit to tackle violence and harassment at work (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Press releaseIP/07/569Commission Press Corner
23 Feb 2007
Harassment of humanitarian workers in Darfur: European Commission insists on respect for international humanitarian law by all parties (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Press releaseIP/07/232Commission Press Corner
5 Oct 2005
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Belarus following the harassment of the independent newspaper Narodnaya Volya (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
PESCPESC/05/108Commission Press Corner
4 May 2004
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on harassment by the Belarusian Authorities in relation to enlargement celebrations in Minsk (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
PESCPESC/04/55Commission Press Corner
18 Apr 2002
Anna Diamantopoulou welcomes tough new EU rules against sexual harassment at work (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Press releaseIP/02/579Commission Press Corner
29 Jan 2001
Sexual discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace are discussed in a new opinion from the EU Economic and Social Committee (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
CESCES/01/2Commission Press Corner
7 Jun 2000
Commission bids to outlaw sexual harassment at the workplace (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Press releaseIP/00/588Commission Press Corner
22 Nov 1999
Neil Kinnock Vice-President for Administrative Reform A Whistleblowers' Charter for the European Commission The Hague, 19 November 1999 (opens the official source in a new tab)
- whistleblow
SpeechSPEECH/99/172Commission Press Corner
19 Mar 1997
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: Second Stage Consultation of the Social Partners (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Press releaseIP/97/233Commission Press Corner
24 Jul 1996
SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE (opens the official source in a new tab)
- harassment
Press releaseIP/96/689Commission Press Corner

Standing rules

Hand-maintained reference documents, separate from the daily institution feeds.

6 reference documents, compiled by hand and last checked on 2 October 2026. This part is not updated by the daily check.

12 Dec 2023
Decision on the prevention of and fight against psychological and sexual harassment (opens the official source in a new tab)
The Commission’s current anti-harassment policy for its own staff. It replaces the 2006 decision, creates a Chief Confidential Counsellor as the first contact point for people who feel harassed, and sets out the informal and formal procedures.
- Harassment
- Staff procedures
C(2023) 8630 finalEuropean CommissionCommission Decision, internal staff rules
7 Jun 2023
A comprehensive approach to mental health (opens the official source in a new tab)
Sets out the Commission’s mental health policy across sectors, including psychosocial risks and mental health at work. It is a policy programme, not binding law.
- Mental health
- Psychosocial risk
COM(2023) 298 finalEuropean CommissionCommission Communication, EU-wide policy
28 Jun 2021
EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021–2027 (opens the official source in a new tab)
The Commission’s priorities for occupational safety and health for all workers in the EU, including the prevention of psychosocial risks. It is a policy programme, not binding law.
- Health and safety
- Psychosocial risk
COM(2021) 323 finalEuropean CommissionCommission Communication, EU-wide policy
20 May 2021
Decision on how the EEAS dealt with allegations of psychological harassment in an EU civilian mission (opens the official source in a new tab)
An example of the Ombudsman reviewing how an institution handled a staff member’s harassment allegations, here in the EUCAP Sahel Mali mission. The case was settled by the institution; the full decision is not published, to protect the complainant.
- Harassment
- Complaint handling
Case 549/2020/NHEuropean OmbudsmanOmbudsman decision
17 Dec 2018
Report on dignity at work in the EU institutions and agencies (opens the official source in a new tab)
Reviews the anti-harassment policies of 26 EU institutions and agencies and lists good practices: awareness raising, mandatory training, psychosocial risk assessment, swift procedures, and cover for all personnel including trainees.
- Harassment
- Psychosocial risk
- Good practice
SI/2/2018/AMFEuropean OmbudsmanOmbudsman report, good practice
14 Jun 1962
Staff Regulations of Officials and Conditions of Employment of Other Servants (opens the official source in a new tab)
Article 12a prohibits psychological and sexual harassment and protects staff who report it. Article 24 obliges the institution to assist staff who are attacked or harassed. Articles 22a and 22b protect whistleblowers, and Article 1e requires working conditions that meet health and safety standards.
- Harassment
- Duty of assistance
- Whistleblowing
- Health and safety
Regulation No 31 (EEC), 11 (EAEC)All EU institutionsRegulation, consolidated version of 1 January 2026

The latest documents are found by searching each institution’s official site for a fixed list of words and keeping those whose title contains one. Internal decisions that an institution does not publish there will not appear, and a matching title does not guarantee the document is about staff. Titles are the institutions’ own; the summaries under “Standing rules” are this site’s plain-language descriptions. The linked document is always the authority.