TV Personality Files Workplace Harassment Complaint Under Chilean Law
Adriana Barrientos, a well-known television personality in Chile, filed a formal complaint against her colleague, Sergio Rojas, alleging workplace harassment under the country’s Karin Law.The complaint, filed on December 21st, details a series of incidents that Barrientos claims violated her dignity and professional integrity.
The conflict reportedly stemmed from a confrontation in the television station’s parking lot the day before the complaint was filed. Barrientos alleges that rojas used “pejorative and threatening words,” and further claims that he “made a direct reference to the fact that I am dedicated to prostitution.” She stated in her complaint that these actions caused meaningful emotional distress.
“I hereby allow myself to file a formal complaint against my channel partner,Mr. Sergio Rojas,due to a series of situations that I have experienced in recent weeks,which have attacked my dignity,integrity and work environment,”
Barrientos’s complaint emphasizes the need for a safe and respectful work environment,stating her desire to “guarantee my right to work in an environment free of violence and harassment,protecting my physical and emotional integrity.”
Following the complaint, Zona Latina, the television station, provided Barrientos with support, including a medical leave on December 27th. manager Rodrigo Sunico commented, “These behaviors (on Friday afternoon) are inadmissible and they constitute a clear case of workplace harassment.”
Rojas Disputes Applicability of Karin Law
Rojas, though, maintains that the Karin Law doesn’t apply in this situation.He argues that he works for an external company and not directly for Zona Latina, therefore not falling under the same employment umbrella as Barrientos. This assertion is challenged by Barrientos’s legal team.
“The Karin Law, which seeks to prevent and punish workplace harassment and violence in Chile, applies to all employment relationships in the same physical place, regardless of whether the workers have different employers,”
this legal dispute highlights the complexities of workplace harassment laws, particularly when dealing with individuals from different companies operating within the same physical location. The case underscores the ongoing debate about the scope and submission of such legislation, not onyl in Chile but also in similar contexts globally. The outcome of Barrientos’s complaint will likely set a precedent for future cases involving similar circumstances.
The situation mirrors similar workplace harassment cases in the United States, where the definition of “employer” and the scope of legal protection can be complex, particularly in situations involving independent contractors or multiple employers sharing a workspace. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of clear policies and robust legal frameworks to protect employees from harassment and violence in the workplace.
