Social safety at work
Have you experienced undesirable behaviour at work, such as bullying, gossip, aggression, sexually transgressive behaviour or power abuse? Here is information on how to address undesirable behaviour at uu77.
Ways to address undesirable behaviour
uu77 encourages you to speak up. We understand that sometimes it can be difficult to choose the right way to deal with the situation. If talking directly to a person who is bothering you or to your supervisor is not an option, a confidential advisor might be the right point of contact. You can also turn to the confidential advisor if you are unsure about what is exactly going on, but it doesn't feel right.
Confidential Advisor
A confidential advisor is a professional who has been trained to provide support regarding questions, signals, reports and complaints of undesirable behaviour. Confidential advisors are independent within uu77: they are not employed by specific faculties or other organisational units.
vertrouwenspersonen [at] ru.nl (Contact a confidential advisor)
What can a confidential advisor do for you if you face undesirable behaviour?
- Listen to your story in a confidential conversation, without judgments or conditions.
- Think along with you about possible solutions in your situation: what can you do yourself, and what do you need help with?
- Assist you in preparing for conversations with your colleague or supervisor, and if desired join you in the conversation.
- Assist you in taking the next steps, such as starting a complaints procedure, if a problem cannot be resolved in any other way.
- If necessary, refer you to other types of support, such as psychological or legal help.
- Support you through the whole process and provide aftercare.
Read more about confidential advisors to have a better understanding of what to expect.
Alternative
Another option for employees to address undesired behaviour is contacting an ombuds officer.
The most important difference is that a confidential adviser is there to support you, while the ombuds officer takes a broader view. The ombuds officer gives independent advice on improvements that go beyond the individual reports. The ombuds officer is also impartial and can mediate between you and the organisation.
If you need more information or advice, contact your HR advisor. The HR advisor will help you choose the right option from all available support.
Training courses on social safety
uu77 believes it is important that everyone feels safe in the study and work environment and feels free to have difficult or critical conversations. Therefore, the university has a wide range of e-learnings, workshops and training courses. These help you to recognise socially unsafe situations, respond adequately to undesirable behaviour and to listen actively. Check out the training offer for employees in gROW. This offer is under development.
