What to do in case of undesirable behaviour

The UvA aims to be an open and safe environment in which everyone feels seen, heard and respected. Still, situations may arise in which someone experiences undesirable behaviour. This page outlines what support is available for staff, students and PhD candidates.

Reporting Point for Social Safety and Integrity

When to speak up

Undesirable behaviour includes any behaviour experienced as hurtful, threatening or inappropriate, such as:

Bullying;
Discrimination;
Sexually transgressive behaviour;
Aggression, intimidation or stalking.

In all cases: you are not alone. If something doesn’t feel right, it can help to seek advice—even if you're not yet sure what exactly is going on.

Support for staff

Talk to your supervisor.
Contact a confidential adviser for a private conversation.
If the issue is structural, you can consult the ombudsperson.
If needed, you can submit a formal complaint to the Complaints Committee. A confidential adviser can support you during this process.
In cases of serious societal misconduct, you can report it via the Whistleblower Reporting Point.
More information is available on the staff website

Support for students

Contact a confidential adviser.
Depending on the situation, a student counsellor or study adviser may also be able to help.
If the issue is structural, you can consult the ombudsperson.
In cases of serious societal misconduct, you can report it via the Whistleblower Reporting Point.
More information is available on the student website.

Support for PhD candidates

Talk to your supervisor.
Contact a confidential adviser.
If the issue is structural, you can consult the ombudsperson.
If needed, you can submit a formal complaint to the Complaints Committee. A confidential adviser can support you during this process.
In cases of serious societal misconduct, you can report it via the Whistleblower Reporting Point.
More information is available on the page Social safety: support for PhD candidates.

Preventing and naming undesirable behaviour

What may seem harmless to one person can feel transgressive to another. The UvA Code of Conduct describes how we aim to treat one another and what to do when boundaries are crossed.

We offer training and workshops to help staff and students recognise and address undesirable behaviour – in themselves and others. Specific training programmes are available for both staff and students.