What is harassment?
Harassment is violating someone's dignity. Even if there is no intention to insult, it can still be harassment.
Harassment can be inappropriate comments about sexual orientation, ethnic origin, disability, age, etc. – both overt and covert – about an individual person or group of people that they interpret as negative.
Sexual harassment can include unwelcome comments, jokes, spreading rumors, touching, advances, glances. It can also include sending unwelcome messages such as pictures and videos of a sexual nature or spreading pictures of a person who does not want the picture to be spread. Everyone regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, can be affected by sexual harassment. The victim decides what is unwelcome and thus harassing.
Any act can be considered harassment, regardless of whether there is intention on the part of the perpetrator. It doesn't matter if harassment occurs due to ignorance or misunderstanding. The victim decides whether the behaviour is unwelcome. Therefore, be sensitive to others.
Trust your intuition if something feels uncomfortable or unwelcome. No one should have to endure derogatory behaviour.
Everyone has a responsibility to speak out and/or act so that Luleå University of Technology is free from harassment. Reporting harassment to the university can help protect you and others from being harassed.
For employees, the responsibility for organizational and social work environment, which includes handling harassment, lies with your boss. According to the Work Environment Act, your boss is responsible for investigating and taking measures.
Should you witness an incident
- speak up against derogatory comments
- take a clear stand against violations
- support your colleagues
- contact your direct manager, your manager’s manager or the HR department
Students - the Head of Department is responsible for the students in each department to know where to turn in the event of harassment, discrimination or abuse.
If you witness an incident
- speak up against derogatory comments
- take a clear stand against violations
- listen to and support fellow students who might be vulnerable
- contact the Head of Department/Main Education Leader or the student union to which you belong.