What to do in case of discrimination or bullying?
- Be aware of different forms of discrimination and bullying (What is what?) and dare to notice and act, where necessary!
- Everyone who witnesses discrimination or bullying, or who senses a disturbing, threatening, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive atmosphere (even if someone else is the victim) must intervene.
- Contact the police in case of violence, risk of violence or another threatening situation (for example, persecution).
- You have the right to ask for help or submit a written complaint for assessing and solving the situation. Many counsellors of different specialities are here to support you in the university.
- You may always anonymously turn to the Commissioner for Equal Treatment who gives advice and explain the process of submitting a complaint. If you decide to submit a complaint or suspicion, the Commissioner for Equal Treatment will ensure your confidentiality.
If you are an employee or student/learner at the university and feel that you are discriminated against/bullied in your work or studies, then do the following (depending on the situation):
Solving the problem independently: let the person know in a clear manner that their behaviour is not acceptable and ask them to stop
If you do not dare to contact the offender, the option that someone you trust could do it can be considered. If this is not helpful, you may let the bully know that if nothing changes you will submit a complaint.
As an employee, contact your immediate superior/head of unit or someone in the Personnel Office: record the content and time of events.
Gather evidence (such as e-correspondence), remember the witnesses of the events, who can give statements. Evidence is very important in order to identify the occurrence of discrimination or bullying in case you ask for help or submit a complaint.
As a student/leaner, contact your supervisor or study programme administrator, head of studies of your unit or an employee at the Academic Affairs Office: record the content and time of events.
Gather evidence (such as e-correspondence), remember the witnesses of the events, who can give statements. Evidence is very important in order to identify the occurrence of discrimination or bullying in case you ask for help or submit a complaint
Contacting the Commissioner for Equal Treatment
who can be turned to in order to ask for help in establishing the facts of the case (incl. whether there is an infringement and how serious it could be), advice for the possible future steps and, if you wish and it will be agreed, also for seeking reconciliation between the parties related to the case.
If you notice that your colleague or fellow student is being discriminated against/bullied:
- let them know what you have noticed and show your support;
- convey a message to the victim that if they are ready to submit a complaint, you are ready to testify what you have noticed;
- understand that your intervention and paying attention to the situation is important in every way, because the victim is often too scared to look for help;
- if you can see that the situation has not changed and you feel safe, then intervene and explain to the offender that their behaviour is not acceptable. If you do not wish to intervene personally, you may contact the Commissioner for Equal Treatment – talk about what you have noticed and ask for advice concerning the next steps.