Labour Inspectorate: Tilburg University must do more to address inappropriate behaviour and workload

The university has received three warnings from the Dutch Labour Inspectorate. According to the Inspectorate, the university has insufficient insight into the effectiveness of measures aimed at tackling workload and inappropriate behaviour within the organisation. It has also failed to adequately identify the risks of such behaviour occurring.

‘The picture emerging around social safety is hitting us hard,’ Wilma de Koning, vice-president of the Executive Board, tells Univers. ‘Every single case is one too many.’

In a letter to the university, the Labour Inspectorate states that Tilburg University has committed three violations. These concern the inadequate identification of risks associated with inappropriate behaviour, insufficient evaluation of measures to prevent such behaviour, and insufficient evaluation of measures aimed at addressing workload. The university has received warnings for all three.

The Inspectorate writes that ‘not all risk factors that increase the likelihood of inappropriate behaviour are yet being systematically investigated, analysed and monitored’. It also says that the effectiveness of the measures taken is ‘insufficiently clear’.

In effect, the Inspectorate is questioning whether the measures introduced by the university are actually bringing about change.

Staff survey

The Labour Inspectorate’s findings come at a time when Tilburg University’s own staff survey also paints a mixed picture. Employees give the university an average rating of 7.6 out of 10, but more than a quarter of respondents say they have witnessed inappropriate behaviour at some point. Eighteen per cent say they have experienced it themselves.

Rector Wim van de Donk is concerned: ‘Gossiping, bullying, inappropriate behaviour, abuse of power: these are things we absolutely do not want at our university. These findings have made us very alert.’

De Koning adds: ‘Clearly, there is work to be done. We are extremely concerned that inappropriate behaviour occurs so frequently.’

Time to address the problems

The Labour Inspectorate visited Tilburg University in December 2025 and again in January and March 2026. The warnings that followed are not without consequences.

The university has a maximum of nine months to remedy the first violation – the inadequate identification of risk factors. It has up to 18 months to address the second and third violations.

If a subsequent inspection finds that the problems have not been resolved, the university could be fined.

Steps already taken

Tilburg University has taken steps in recent years to address workload and inappropriate behaviour, vice-president De Koning stresses. The Labour Inspectorate acknowledges this as well. Its letter states: ‘Your university is taking various measures to prevent and limit inappropriate behaviour within the organisation. These include Active Bystander training, leadership development and dialogue sessions on social safety.’

A plan of action has now been drawn up to address the warnings within the deadlines set by the Inspectorate. To gain a clearer picture of social safety and the effectiveness of the measures being taken, Tilburg University will launch a follow-up study at the end of October.

In the meantime, a task force established by the university is examining the Inspectorate’s warnings. The findings of the staff survey, the Labour Inspectorate’s investigation and the additional studies will be brought together to further strengthen the university’s approach.

Making it a topic of discussion

At the same time, Van de Donk and De Koning are calling on the academic community to remain vigilant. Van de Donk says: ‘Don’t look the other way. Speak up when you see inappropriate behaviour and make it a topic of discussion. This is a responsibility we all share. Together with staff, managers, employee representatives, faculties and support services, we want to build a university where everyone feels safe, respected and welcome.’

This is particularly important as the university is going through a period of reform and organisational change, De Koning emphasises: ‘Especially in challenging times, we are extra aware that people who want to report something need to feel that they have the space and the confidence to do so.’

Other universities

Tilburg University is not an exception. The Labour Inspectorate has visited all Dutch universities and reported on workload and social safety. Similar warnings have been issued across the sector; only Leiden University escaped a reprimand.

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