Analysis of the Phenomenon of Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace of the Court of Justice of the State of Rondonia: A Restorative Approach
Harassment. Human Rights. Restorative Justice. Judiciary. Court of Justice of Rondônia.
Harassment and discrimination constitute serious forms of violence in the workplace, affecting the dignity, identity, and well-being of workers, as well as undermining institutional effectiveness. In the context of the Judiciary, where equity and justice are fundamental values, the persistence of these practices is alarming. Data from 2022 and 2023 from the National Survey on Harassment and Discrimination in the Judiciary indicate that more than 55% of respondents reported being victims of these forms of violence. In response to this situation, the National Council of Justice (CNJ) enacted Resolution No. 351/2020, which establishes guidelines for preventing and addressing moral harassment, sexual harassment, and discrimination in the Judiciary. Against this backdrop, the Court of Justice of the State of Rondonia (TJRO) faces the challenge of implementing effective strategies to prevent and combat harassment and discrimination. The central problem of this research is to understand how these practices occur in the TJRO’s workplace and how Restorative Justice can be used as a strategy to address them. Thus, the general objective of the study is to analyze the incidence, types, and characteristics of the complaints submitted to the 1st and 2nd Grade Committees for the Prevention and Combat of Harassment and Discrimination (CPCAD), proposing guidelines based on Restorative Justice. Specifically, the study aims to conceptualize harassment and discrimination based on the literature and CNJ guidelines, identify the profiles of victims and aggressors, and examine the applicability of Restorative Justice in the context of the Judiciary. The justification for this study lies in the need to develop more effective institutional strategies to combat these forms of violence in the workplace, promoting a more equitable and inclusive organizational culture. By adopting Restorative Justice as a central approach, the aim is to contribute to the formulation of public policies and institutional actions that encourage dialogue, accountability, and damage repair, in line with the guidelines of CNJ Resolution No. 351/2020. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative and applied approach, emphasizing document analysis and literature review. Formal complaints submitted to the 1st Grade CPCAD, as well as internal resolutions and regulations of the TJRO, were analyzed. The results indicate that harassment and discrimination at the TJRO reflect patterns common to other organizations, marked by hierarchy and authoritarianism. However, Restorative Justice shows potential to mitigate these problems by promoting spaces for qualified listening, conflict mediation, and damage repair. Based on the findings, the study proposes guidelines for implementing restorative practices in the actions of the CPCAD, reinforcing the importance of transforming the organizational culture of the TJRO. It is concluded that adopting strategies based on Restorative Justice and effective institutional policies can significantly contribute to a healthier, more inclusive work environment aligned with the principles of equity and justice. Furthermore, the research highlights the need to prioritize preventive actions and institutionalize accountability in combating harassment and discrimination in the Judiciary, providing insights for future initiatives and research.