Prevention and Intervention at Management Level
Managers have a particular role to play in dealing with sexual harassment in the workplace, given their duty of care towards staff. They are called upon to create a working atmosphere that proactively prevents sexual harassment by being attentive and sensitive to dynamics within the team and by being open to their employees’ concerns. They have a significant influence on fostering a respectful and safe working environment and therefore bear a special responsibility.
The following recommendations for action may generally be helpful:
- Take a clear stand against sexual discrimination in the workplace.
- Promote a culture of open dialogue within the team so that problems in the workplace can be identified, discussed and resolved.
- Actively promote a respectful way of interacting with one another, characterised by mutual respect and the observance of personal boundaries.
- Pressure, unclear roles and work processes can contribute to sexualised discrimination in the workplace. Keep a close eye on how your team’s work is organised.
Even if an incident has already occurred or someone approaches you with a related concern, we are here to offer you advice. We are aware that dealing with such situations can be challenging and that managers face particular demands in this regard. We will help you assess the situation, inform you of possible courses of action and advise you on how to proceed.
If the contact point receives a report from your team that requires case management, you, as a manager, will also play a central role in the subsequent process.
The Contact Point is responsible for coordinating case management and providing expert support throughout the process. As a manager, you are actively involved and, as part of your duty of care, bear responsibility for the necessary measures within your area of responsibility. We will advise you on implementation, coordinate the necessary steps and act as your point of contact throughout the entire process.
Further information on the procedures and responsibilities can be found in the guidelines.
An informative podcast episode on ‘Sexual Harassment as a Leadership Challenge’ is available from Angela Hoppe (Mentoring Centre MV, Career Paths Mentoring, University of Greifswald).
An episode packed with information and practical tips. It’s about boundaries and ways to provide support. A piece aimed at breaking the taboo and helping people find the right words.
You can listen to it or download it directly here on the Fachstelle Mentoring MV website or on Spotify.
Further information, support and resources on SDG (at universities) can also be found via the following links:
bukof guidance note on sexualised discrimination and violence at universities
Guidance from the Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
UniSAFE project [in English]
‘make it work – then make it better!’ project
Alliance Against Sexism: Understanding Sexism
