Bullying and Harassment: Pilot of Report + Support tool
Dr Markos Koumaditis, HR Director, introduces Report + Support, an online platform offering advice and support to staff who have experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment
I am pleased to announce that, after a period of consultation, the University has launched a pilot of Report + Support. This online platform is already in use by over 90 UK universities to provide access to support, guidance and services relating to bullying and harassment.
Report + Support also offers an additional way for staff to share information with the University about an incident or concern of bullying or harassment that they have experienced or witnessed. Information shared through the tool will provide valuable insights which we will use to improve our understanding of staff experiences, enhance the support offered through the Harassment Advisory Service and inform prevention work across the University.
The tool will be piloted for University-employed staff in the first instance. The pilot period, running between January and June 2024, will give us the opportunity to work in consultation with the Harassment Advisor Network and other internal stakeholders. This will help us to understand how best to integrate the Report + Support platform and insights gathered through it, into the University’s Harassment Advisory Service and Harassment Policy.
Students and college staff will not be included in the pilot – they are encouraged to continue seeking support through their colleges, supervisors/line managers or the Harassment Advisors.
How does Report + Support work?
If you are a University-employed staff member and have experienced – or witnessed – an incident of bullying or harassment, you can find out about services available to you by visiting the Report + Support homepage. You can also share information about the incident and your concern, either anonymously or with your name and contact details. When sharing information about an incident through Report + Support, you won’t be initiating a formal complaint. If you do provide your contact details, a Harassment Advisor will contact you confidentially to listen, share non-judgemental support and offer advice on the options available to you to resolve the situation, either informally or by making a formal report, enabling you to decide what you would like to do.
We recognise that online tools are not the best option for everyone. This tool is designed to complement the existing support offered by the University’s network of local Harassment Advisors.
Why have we introduced this tool?
We are committed to fostering a culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a fair and respectful working, learning and social environment for all our staff, students and visitors.
I wish to make it clear that bullying and harassment are unacceptable, harmful behaviours. All members of the University have an active role to play in creating an environment free from bullying and harassment. I hope that the introduction of this tool brings us closer to creating a culture where all individuals can thrive at work.
Related links
Report + Support - University of Oxford
Sources of support for staff and students
Harassment Policy and Procedures
