Bullying and Harassment FAQs

The University has a number of policies, procedures, and guidelines which set out the expected behaviours at the University.

• A Code of Conduct that sets out general principles and expectations of ethical conduct. Staff who are in breach of the Code may be subject to disciplinary procedures as described in the University of Adelaide Enterprise Agreement as appropriate and relevant.
• The HR Behaviour and Conduct policy; and
• The HSW Handbook chapter Preventing and Responding to Workplace bullying and harassment.

Behaviour is identified as workplace bullying when it is:

• Repeated  – A pattern of behaviour must be able to be identified.  It must be more than once; and
• Unreasonable – The behaviour must be considered unreasonable given the circumstances; and
• A risk to health and safety – It is likely that exposure to the behaviour will create a risk of injury or harm.

Depending on the circumstances bullying is considered misconduct or serious misconduct at the University.

As a guide, the following behaviours might be considered bullying (if repeated), as they are viewed as unreasonable and likely to create a risk to health and safety towards a worker or a group of workers:

• Abusive, insulting or offensive language or comments
• Unjustified criticism or complaints
• Continuously and deliberately excluding someone from workplace activities
• Withholding information that is vital for effective work performance
• Setting unreasonable timelines or constantly changing deadlines
• Setting tasks that are unreasonably below or beyond a person’s skill level
• Denying access to information, supervision, consultation, or resources such that it is detrimental to the worker
• Spreading misinformation or malicious rumours
• Changing work arrangements, such as rosters and leave, to deliberately inconvenience a particular worker or workers
• Excessive scrutiny at work

Note: behaviour online, using social networks, can also be considered bullying behaviour.

Discrimination and harassment occurs when someone is treated less favourably than others because they have a particular characteristic or belong to a particular group of people. For example, discrimination and harassment can occur on grounds of:

• Age
• Political belief or activity
• Parental or carer status
• Physical features
• Disability
• Race
• Gender identity
• Religious belief or activity
• Industrial activity
• Sex or sexuality
• Marital status
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Identity of Soupse

Sexual harassment is also associated with unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours or other unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.

Discrimination and sexual harassment in employment is unlawful under anti-discrimination, equal employment opportunity, workplace relations and human rights laws.  It is possible for a person to be bullied, sexually harassed and discriminated against at the same time.  However, a person who is harassed or discriminated against can only be bullying if the behaviour is repeated.

The responsibilities and duties assigned by the Handbook Chapter apply to workers of the University as defined by the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2012 (SA). This would cover staff, contractors, volunteers, titleholders and labour hire workers.

Students should refer to the Student Grievance Resolution process should they believe they are being bullied and harassed at the University.

The responsibilities and duties assigned by the Handbook Chapter apply to workers of the University as defined by the Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act 2012 (SA). This would cover staff, contractors, volunteers, titleholders and labour hire workers.

Students should refer to the Student Grievance Resolution process should they believe they are being bullied and harassed at the University.

Where you believe that you have been subjected to inappropriate conduct (including sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment or discrimination), you can contact the Integrity Unit for advice or to make a report as either a disclosure or a complaint.

If you have been accused of bullying or harassment, you can discuss the matter with the Integrity Unit who can provide advice and support options.

Yes. If you feel that you would like to talk to an external person who can provide free support and counselling to you or your family members, the option is open to you.

Should you find that further explanation or clarification is required, please contact your manager/supervisor, HR Advisory, or the Integrity Unit. If you require further information on implementation of the Bullying & Harassment procedure, please contact a member of the HSW Team.

A safe campus is everyone’s responsibility. You can help the university ensure your campus is safe by playing a role in looking out for your own safety, and the safety of others. More information can be found on the Safer Campus Community website, including a Consent Matters training course.

The university provides professional counselling services through Student Life Counselling Support to those who wish to discuss bullying or harassment, including sexual harassment and assault. Their counselling team is available to help explore options to resolve these difficulties.

The University is committed to the health and wellbeing of our students and aims to maximise opportunities to support a positive and successful university experience.

Our focus and commitment to good mental health is demonstrated by the range of services, targeted events and policies available to students.

The university provides professional counselling services through Student Life Counselling Support.

More information can be found on the Mental Health Awareness website.

If students wish to make a report to the University they should be directed to the Report an Incident web page which has:

• A phone number for students to talk about the process and get support to submit a report.
• The link to submit the report online.

An outline of the full process is available at the Student Behaviour and Conduct Procedure page.

It is understandable that a student may feel anxious about reporting an incident. More about this can be found on the Reporting an Incident web page.

An outline of the full process is available at the Student Behaviour and Conduct Procedure page.

The Early Intervention Group (EIG) is responsible for matters pertaining to inappropriate behaviour by students.

For further information, please look at the procedures for reporting inappropriate, concerning or threatening student behaviour.

Students, staff and other members of the University community who observe student behaviour that is of concern can complete a Behavioural Incident Report Form, and send it to the EIG at eig@adelaide.edu.au or Student Affairs.

Even where no action is required, it is important to record incidents centrally so that the University can monitor any repeat behaviour.

Members of the University community who observe or are confronted by a student behavioural incident which has the potential for harm to others or self-harm and requires immediate attention should first contact Security Services on the emergency telephone number: 8313 5444 (extn 35444).

• Membership of the EIG
• Governance

More information can be found on the Inappropriate Behaviour By Students website.