Hi Jane

Good to see you are promoting the issue of bullying and harassment.  As you know, this is my specialist area and I have to say, I hate the expression zero tolerance as it seems to extend not just to the behaviour but to the perpetrators as well.  It is crucial that we help and support targets of bullying and harassment, but my work also involves coaching abrasive managers to understand the impact of their behaviour and to change their approach to staff – happy to discuss with you if this would be helpful.

I know that zero tolerance is a recognised term, but I much prefer the positive connotations of dignity at work/study which is an aspiration for appropriate behaviour.  I can’t help feeling much of the work around bullying and harassment is overly focused on the negatives (ie what we don’t want) rather than the type of culture we are actually hoping to promote.

Just my opinion of course – I understand that other people will perceive things differently.

Best wishes

Jill

Hi folks,

Have any of you run a zero tolerance ( to harassment and bullying ) campaign at your universities?

I am working with the Guild of Students here, at the University of Birmingham, to promote a zero tolerance approach, and intend to follow the events we’re staging with a report on what we find. I have spoken to a number of staff and students and am considering publishing some case studies of departments where staff and students feel valued and happy, as examples of good practice. We have used a map of the campus and local area to help staff and student identify where they might have experienced problems. So, the campaign is highlighting experiences at work and study, as well as more generally in the wider environment.

It is a sensitive topic, and I have had some discussion with the unions here . Just wondered if anyone has experience of trying this?

Thanks

Jane

Jane Tope

Equality and Diversity Adviser for Students

University of Birmingham

0121 414 3247