Collectively responsible for a positive study and working environment

Social Safety

Social safety is a matter that concerns all of us. All employees, students and guests of TU/e are collectively responsible for a safe and positive study and working environment. TU/e expects everyone - employee, student or guest - to deal responsibly with the ethical aspects of the study and working environment.

We promote social safety by arranging better formal structures. In addition, it is essential that we call each other to account and point out when things are not going well. But what if you suspect that something inappropriate is going on, have a conflict of interest yourself or are confronted with undesirable behavior?

We believe that it is important to invest in an organizational climate in which we call each other to account for undesirable behavior. Social safety begins with paying attention to each other's professional and personal boundaries when working with others. Professional boundaries are the limits of action that we have agreed upon with each other.

Personal boundaries

Personal boundaries are the boundaries that determine what you tolerate and at what point you no longer tolerate behavior. And this already starts with seemingly ‘small’ behaviors, such as recurring snide remarks, unnecessary touching or belittling someone's feelings of discomfort.

When you feel that your personal boundary is being crossed, say this immediately to the person who is crossing the line. Leaders should create a safe environment where it is possible to talk to each other. But even if this dialogue does not get going or if a manager is unable to create that safe environment, you need to be able to talk to someone. You need to be able to turn to someone.

Where can you turn?
If you are faced with a harmful activity or undesirable behavior, you can contact various people and bodies. The TU/e social safety support guide below shows you the way.

TU/e Social Safety see and speak

Our TU/e social safety support guide shows you the way to the various people and bodies to whom you can turn if you are dealing with a harmful activity or undesirable behavior yourself. You can also look to this if you are worried about someone else.

Preferably, you should first discuss an undesirable situation with the person it concerns. If this is not possible, discuss it with your manager. If this is not possible either, you can ask your HR advisor or PhD/PDEng counselor or use the other options in the social safety support guide.

Do not hesitate to contact the person who you think can best help, even if you have doubts about the (seriousness of the) situation. Your report will always be treated confidentially.

Learning & development bij de TU/e

De TU/e stimuleert en faciliteert de professionele ontwikkeling van haar medewerkers. Wij ondersteunen je bij diverse aspecten van jouw loopbaan aan onze universiteit. Het toegewijde trainingsaanbod is afgestemd op de TU/e strategie, het beleid en op actuele vraagstukken en professionele uitdagingen waar je mee te maken kunt krijgen.

Ook het vergroten van het bewustzijn van sociale veiligheid en gesprekken hierover vragen om ondersteuning. Learning & Development ondersteunt hierbij door je in staat te stellen een open gesprek te voeren over sociale veiligheid. Dit doen we met Leadership Programs zoals Inclusive Leadership en met het trainingsaanbod Social Safety met daarin trainingen zoals Eye for Social SafetyLeadership Learnings: Building a safe Team Culture en Social Safety, the fine line en een Team Support Package, waarbij we onderzoeken hoe we met elkaar omgaan en communiceren.

Social Safety at TU/e

As a university, we strive for a community where everyone feels physically, mentally and emotionally safe. Collegiality and respect for others are crucial to us, regardless of position, experience or background. We do not tolerate transgressive behavior, discrimination, racism, abuse of power or any other form of insecurity. We expect everyone at TU/e to think and act in this way.

On September 20, 2021, the information campaign on social safety at TU/e began. Watch the video.

News

Learning and development at TU/e

TU/e encourages and facilitates the continuous professional development of its employees. We support you in various aspects of your career at our university. The dedicated learning offerings are tailored to TU/e’s strategy, policies, up and coming issues and professional challenges that you may face. 

Increasing awareness of social safety and conversations about this also require support. Learning & Development aims to support you in this by enabling you to have an open conversation about social safety. We do this with leadership programs like Inclusive leadership and the Social Safety Training Program with training courses like Eye for Social Safety, Leadership Learnings: Building a safe Team Culture and Social Safety, the fine line and a Team Support Package on exploring communication and refining how we treat one another.

Students helping students

Who are TU/e's student confidential contact persons (CCP)? And what can they do for you? In this video several CCP's introduce themselves and tell why they think it's so important to have CCP's. On educationguide.tue.nl/ccp you can find all 24 CCPs and can choose with whom you would like to make an appointment.

Where innovation starts and people matter

In the TU/e community of students and staff, we strive for diversity and inclusion. A diverse workforce generates better problem-solving strategies and more creative ideas, accelerates innovation and enables teams to better learn and grow. Moreover, a broader network improves the capacity to function well in a pluralistic society and enables a connection to a wider number of stakeholders.

As TU/e strives for a diverse workforce, a special focus on female talent in science is necessary. In addition to the advantages of diversity, Irène Curie fellows can serve as role models for the next generation of female scientists.

For information, questions and ideas about Social Safety

Corlien van Dam
c.m.v.dam@tue.nl
+31(0)40-2472735