What is victimisation or sexual harassment?
– Victimisation and harassment can mean different things to different people, but what it really means is defined in two different laws (see fact box). It is the person who is exposed who decides what is unwanted, unwelcome or offensive. This does not always mean that it is victimisation, harassment or sexual harassment, but it must always be investigated. Lund University has zero tolerance when it comes to abuse or harassment.
Who should I turn to if I have been exposed?
– If you are the victim of something that you perceive as harassment or sexual harassment, you must clearly state that it is not welcome. The Discrimination Act requires it. However, sometimes it can be difficult to speak up yourself when it happens. Then talk to your manager or get help from someone else you trust in the workplace. If it is your boss who you think has offended you, you can turn to your boss's manager. You can also turn to the safety representative, HR manager or your trade union. However, it is important that a person at managerial level becomes aware of the incident and that a report is made so that something can be done about it. There are no formal requirements for what a notification should look like, but it will be documented.
What happens next?
– When the manager has been told that something has happened that could be victimisation, harassment or sexual harassment, they must start an investigation. The purpose of the investigation is to find out what happened so that the manager can get enough information so that they know what they need to do to stop it and so that it does not happen again. It is possible to make a report anonymously, but since both the person being singled out, the victim and any others involved must be interviewed in an investigation, it is difficult for the person investigating to get enough information for the manager to be able to do something about it. Then only general measures can be taken.
– It is not possible to conduct an investigation if the complainant is anonymous, but can, for example, invite lecturers on the current theme, play RSVP games or other more general efforts that do not single out a particular person or group.
