A Practical Guide to Dignity at Work and Study

Staff and Students should treat others how they would expect to be treated. They should:

• Acknowledge we all may approach things differently, come from different cultures or have different views
• Show respect to others in all forms of communication, including electronic exchanges
• Maintain appropriate and professional relationships with all members and levels of the University community
• If appropriate, declare any personal relationships as outlined in the staff - staff and staff - student relationship policies using either the Personal Relationship declaration Staff - Staff or the Personal Relationship declaration Staff - Student form
• Listen to the experiences and concerns of others without judgement or bias, with empathy, and take action where possible and appropriate to mitigate any negative experiences
• Feedback to others, and accept feedback given to you regarding behaviours that might be considered rude, upsetting or uncomfortable
• Respect the opinion of others, demonstrate fairness, and encourage others to speak up
• Learn about the experiences and perspectives of others and respect diversity in opinion
• Openly share information and encourage transparency
• Foster the development of diverse teams, encourage interactions and engagement across a broad range of perspectives
• Set a good example of how people should be treated
• Consider the impact your behaviour may have on others
• Behave in a way that respects the rights and dignity of others
• Treat others fairly and with respect
• Value the differences in others and the contribution they make
• Demonstrate a commitment to upholding the University's policies on equality, diversity and inclusion
• Challenge harassing or bullying behaviour as and when appropriate.

Supervisors/Line Managers/Lecturers have a particular responsibility to:

• Set a good example by their own behaviour
• Ensure that there is a supportive working environment
• Make sure that staff and students know what standards of behaviour are expected of them
• Intervene to stop bullying, harassment or discrimination
• Report promptly to Human Resources or Student Advice & Support any complaint of bullying, harassment or discrimination, or any incident of bullying, harassment or discrimination witnessed by them. Guidance on how to do this is included in the Guidance Notes.

Staff and Students should not:

• Behave disrespectfully to another person
• Discriminate against anyone, regardless of how they feel about them personally
• Behave in a manner that can be deemed to be threatening or bullying
• Maliciously harm the reputation of staff, students or the University
• Behave unprofessionally with any member of the University or its external partners, collaborators, or visitors.

The University has developed specific guidance, outlining a series of steps that can be taken, in response to bullying, harassment and discrimination which is detailed in the Dignity at Work and Study - Bullying, Harassment & Discrimination Policy.

If you feel you are being bullied, harassed or discriminated against, you can choose to take an informal or formal approach:

Informal approach

• Keep a note of the details of the behaviour that is causing you distress
• If possible, and it is safe to do so, inform the person engaging in the behaviour that you find it upsetting/offensive etc.
• Discuss with, and seek support from, friends, colleagues or someone from the Workplace Dignity Network or a Student Support Advisor. Staff networks and student forums can also be a good source of support.
• Approach the HR team, your line manager, Director or Head of School, trade union representative or a member of the Dignity at Work Network for an informal chat and advice.
• Request a mediated meeting with the person, with the support of your chosen representative.

Formal approach

If you are a member of staff:

• Continue to keep a note of the details of the behaviour that is causing you distress
• If you decide to take formal action this will take the form of submitting a formal grievance using the University Grievance Procedure. Your concerns should be put in writing to your Line Manager, or the next level of Management if more appropriate.
• If the alleged incident involves students, the matter will be referred to the Student Support Management Team and will be dealt with under the relevant student policy/procedures.
• The matter will be investigated confidentially, in line with the University Investigations Procedure, and action taken if appropriate, at the end of the process.
• Full details of what to expect from the process can be found in the Guidance Notes.

If you are a student:

• Continue to keep a note of the details of the behaviour that is causing you distress
• If you decide to take formal action this will take the form of submitting a complaint, in writing, under the appropriate procedure:
  • If you are submitting a complaint about a member of staff, or general issues in your University life, submit a complaints form to academicservices@abdn.ac.uk
  • If you are a member of a Students’ Union affiliated sports club or society and the complaint relates to another member, complete this form or email SUcomplaints@abdn.ac.uk. More information available on the Students' Union website.
  • If you are submitting a complaint in respect of another student that does not relate to their membership to a Students’ Union sport club or society, please submit an email to studentconduct@abdn.ac.uk.
• Full details of what to expect from the process can be found in the appropriate Guidance Notes.

The University will treat all records concerning allegations or complaints of discrimination, harassment or bullying as confidential.

The guidance emphasises that all allegations will be taken seriously and in good faith. Those reporting issues will be given support throughout the formal process. Staff and students should have confidence that should they receive detrimental treatment as a result of raising their concerns, this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with as detailed under Victimisation.

Online Reporting

If you have been subjected to sexual violence or any incidents or acts of harassment, bullying, violence, targeted hate, or sexual misconduct you can submit an online report via the University website .

You can choose to:

Report and Contact an Adviser. A trained adviser will contact you to discuss what has happened. They can highlight support services and talk you through the formal processes you may want to access. This may include reporting to the Police or discussing the University's disciplinary process. Unless there is a safeguarding concern, they will not take any action unless you ask them to.

Report anonymously which will be used to inform our prevention work and to understand the types of behaviour that are impacting our community. Reporting anonymously will not start a process of investigation and you will still be able to access support.

Reporting Concerns to Police

Staff and students should be aware that some of the behaviours associated with breaching this policy may also make the perpetrators liable to criminal prosecution.

Where an employee or student is subject to a breach of this policy which constitutes a criminal offence or an immediate threat to their safety, we would encourage them to report the matter to the police. If an issue has been reported to the police individuals should inform the University through the routes set out in this policy so that appropriate support can be given.

Complaints against Third Parties

Any complaints regarding harassment instigated by third parties, whilst working or studying on University premises should be directed to your HR Partner, or Student Advice & Support if you are a student.

Downloadable poster

Email signature banner