Each year, our Athena SWAN staff consultation working group conducts an in-depth exploration of how staff view or feel about certain topics that impact their working lives.

Photo of Professors' Square, University of Glasgow

The most recent consultation topic, "Dignity at work ", considered staff members' experiences and views on bullying and harassment within IHW.

A report of the consultation found that while staff perceived a positive work culture within IHW, some had also experienced both overt and covert bullying.

Recommendations from the staff consultation report have been taken forward by the IHW Athena Swan self assessment team, and, alongside the university’s Dignity at Work and Study Policy, a series of information bites have been created. The aim of these is to help to promote a positive workplace environment and culture where instances of bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.

The bites – which are available to view below – are a series of short messages that aim to raise awareness and address key issues highlighted through the consultation i.e. 

  • to increase understanding and raise awareness of what constitutes harassing behaviour, including less obvious behaviours
  • to raise awareness of the processes that are in place to report inappropriate behaviour
  • to reinforce the important role for bystanders, including feeling comfortable "calling out" inappropriate behaviour.

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (challenging staff who engage in behavior that could constitute harassment or bullying)

Related resources

UofG guidance for managers
UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (being an effective bystander but distracting the perpetrator and using clear looks or gesture to signal disapproval)

Related resources

UofG effective bystander Moodle course
UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (taking action as a group)

Related resources

UofG effective bystander Moodle course
UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (bullying can include behaviors such as overbearing supervisions and constant destructive criticism)

Related resource

UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (blocking progression can constitute bullying)

Related resource

UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (drawing unnecessary attention to racial or cultural difference is bullying)

Related resources

Let's talk about race in the workplace Moodle course
UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (University of Glasgow has a network of respect advisors who can provide advice and support)

Related resources

UofG respect advisers network
UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (sexual harassment is unwanted behavior of sexual nature which violates a person dignity)

Related resources

UofG support for those affected by sexual violence 
UofG sexual violence and harassment first responders  
UofG supporting a survivor of sexual violence 
UofG personal relationships policy 
UofG dignity at work and study policy

image depicting an aspect of dignity at work (bullying and harassment can include setting a person up for failure with impossible workloads and deadlines)

Related resource

UofG dignity at work and study policy 

If you need to speak to someone in confidence about any bullying or harassment you have experienced or witnessed, please contact IHW's , Cindy Gray or Asha Costigan. Alternatively, you may report instances of bullying, discrimination or harassment on the UofG website (report bullying: staff | report bullying: students) or get in touch with one of UofG's respect advisers

University of Glasgow dignity at work and study policy


First published: 30 January 2022