Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

All members of the department should treat others with dignity and respect and no forms of bullying and harassment are tolerated. It is everyone's responsibility to make it clear that such behaviour is unacceptable. Staff members should support any other member of the department who feels they have been subject to harassment. Anyone who has a concern is encouraged to speak to Harassment advisors who are available for a confidential chat or seek support to reach a constructive resolution through the mediation service.

Mediation Service

The Mediation Service is open to all staff and students in NDPCHS. Mediation is a confidential, voluntary and informal process that helps you work through conflict with your colleagues and find a practical solution that works for everyone. 

NDPCHS is now part of the Mediation Service. Visit the mediation service webpage to find out more or email mediation@ndorms.ox.ac.uk for a confidential chat to see if mediation could help you.

 

What is bullying and harassment?

A person can harass another by engaging in unwanted and unwarranted conduct which has the purpose or effect of:

  • Violating another person’s dignity
  • Creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for another person

The recipient does not need to have explicitly stated that the behaviour was unwanted and the intentions of the alleged harasser do not always determine whether harassment has taken place. The (reasonable) perception of the complainant is also be relevant in determining whether harassment has occurred.

What might be considered bullying and harassment?

  1. Unwanted physical contact, ranging from an invasion of space to an assault
  2. Sexual harassment including:
  • inappropriate body language
  • sexually explicit remarks or innuendoes
  • unwanted sexual advances and touching
  1. Offensive comments or body language, including insults, jokes or gestures and malicious rumours, for example on the basis of race and religion or belief
  2. Open hostility, verbal or physical threats
  3. Insulting, abusive, embarrassing or patronising behaviour or comments, humiliating, intimidating, and/or demeaning criticism
  4. Persistently shouting at, insulting, threatening, disparaging or intimidating an individual
  5. Constantly criticising an individual without providing constructive support to address any performance concerns
  6. Persistently overloading an individual with work that that individual cannot reasonably be expected to complete
  7. Posting offensive comments on electronic media, including using mobile communication devices
  8. Threatening to disclose, or disclosing, a person’s sexuality or disability to others without their permission
  9. Deliberately using the wrong name or pronoun in relation to a transgender person, or persistently referring to their gender identity history
  10. Isolation from normal work or study place, conversations, or social events
  11. Publishing, circulating or displaying pornographic, racist, homophobic, sexually suggestive or otherwise offensive pictures or other materials.
  12. Stalking (following, contacting, monitoring, loitering, watching or spying on an individual)

If you experience, or witness anything you think may be considered as bullying or harassment, you should speak to one of the following people:

-          A department harassment advisor 

-          Human Resources - Clare Wickings

-          Your supervisor

-          Your trade union representative

You can read more about the University’s procedure for dealing with harassment complaints here, along with information specific to staff and students and links to the harassment advisor network: https://edu.web.ox.ac.uk/harassment-advice