Further investigation into workplace social safety launched following Labour Inspectorate warnings

Following warnings from the Dutch Labour Inspectorate, Tilburg University has launched an additional investigation into workplace social safety. Staff are being asked about issues including bullying, discrimination and the university’s performance-driven culture.

Staff at Tilburg University have received a questionnaire on workplace social safety in their inboxes. It asks about issues including bullying, aggression and discrimination in the workplace. There are also questions about how safe staff feel within their own teams and about the university’s performance-driven culture.

‘Tilburg University wants everyone to feel safe at the university,’ the accompanying email states. ‘Previous research has shown that inappropriate behaviour continues to occur. To gain a better understanding of the circumstances that increase the risk of such behaviour, IVA Onderwijs is conducting additional research.’

Staff who have not personally experienced inappropriate behaviour are also invited to complete the questionnaire. ‘The more staff members take part, the more complete the picture will be.’

Labour Inspectorate Warnings

The questionnaire follows three warnings issued to Tilburg University by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate. According to the Inspectorate, the university does not have sufficient insight into the risks of inappropriate behaviour or into the effectiveness of measures aimed at addressing both inappropriate behaviour and excessive workloads.

The university has been given a maximum of nine months by the Labour Inspectorate to gain a clearer understanding of these risks.

The university’s own staff survey also highlights inappropriate behaviour in the workplace as a significant concern. More than a quarter of respondents reported having witnessed inappropriate behaviour at some point, while 18 per cent said they had experienced it themselves.

Anonymous

The research is being conducted by IVA Onderwijs, a research and consultancy organisation that carries out practice-oriented research for educational institutions. Staff at Tilburg University can complete the questionnaire until Thursday, 12 November.

According to the research organisation, responses will be processed anonymously. The organisation will not share individual responses with Tilburg University and will only report findings for groups of at least ten people.

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