Case Study 8 - Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Bullying and Harassment: ‘I have personally experienced behaviour that I consider to be bullying/harassment in the last two years at UCL’

In response to bullying and harassment behaviour patterns that emerged in the 2013 Staff Survey, we held a Faculty Leadership Team meeting on the theme “Creating a Respectful Workplace”, facilitated by colleagues from Organisational Development. The purpose of the 2 hour session was to raise awareness of negative behaviours and foster more positive behaviour in the workplace.  The leadership team explored what defines bullying and harassment and what distinguishes it from robust management through case studies and discussions.

A number of actions were agreed following the session:

• Clear standards of behaviour would be outlined to staff and staff encouraged to be more aware of what goes on around them, e.g. at inductions and departmental meetings.
• Staff would be encouraged to have confidence to address unacceptable behaviour and feel supported by their line manager in so doing. 
• Staff would be advised that they could seek advice and guidance from HR and the Dignity at Work Advisors.
• UCL Core Behaviours Framework would inform discussions with staff about their behaviour.
• Bespoke skills training for departments would be explored with Organisational Development.
• The UCLU Draft Management Charter was discussed and the leadership team would consider producing a similar document for the Faculty.
• The Faculty would include bullying and harassment issues and mechanisms to deal with it in its Equality and Diversity Plan.