Version: 2 Creation date: 2001 Last review date: 12 December 2023 1. Purpose Our University is committed to fostering an accessible and inclusive environment for learning and work, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and firmly opposing discrimination, harassment, bullying, mobbing, toxicity, vilification, and victimisation. The University ensures reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, including academic adjustments, accessible infrastructure, and support services to ensure equal participation in education and campus life. 2. Scope Every university employee and student bear the responsibility of fostering an environment within the University that upholds diversity, equity and inclusion, and eradicates unlawful acts like discrimination, harassment and adverse actions. This policy applies to all staff and students of the Near East University, and individuals The policy also applies to all forms of communication or interaction relevant to University business activities, whether initiated personally, via telephone, fax, email, SMS, social networking sites or through an intermediary, agent, or any other method. 3. Definitions Discrimination Indirect discrimination occurs when a workplace or educational institution’s policy, practice, or conduct seems unbiased yet significantly diminish the opportunity for certain groups to benefit from them. Harassment Harassment can include but is not limited to: Bullying Mobbing Mobbing refers to a form of bullying or harassment where a group of individuals, often in a workplace or social setting, target and repeatedly mistreat, belittle, or harass another person. It involves systematic and ongoing negative behaviours, such as spreading rumours, intimidation, verbal abuse, isolation, or other forms of aggressive conduct directed at the targeted individual. This behaviour is typically repetitive, sustained over time, and may involve multiple people ganging up on or ostracizing the victim. Mobbing can have severe psychological, emotional, and sometimes even physical effects on the individual being targeted. It's often associated with power imbalances, where the perpetrators aim to undermine, intimidate, or exclude the targeted person from the group or community. Toxicity Toxicity refers to behaviours, environments, or situations that are harmful, damaging, or detrimental to individuals' well-being, often in psychological or emotional terms. In various contexts, toxicity can manifest as negative behaviours, attitudes, or dynamics that create an unhealthy or hostile atmosphere. In interpersonal relationships, a toxic dynamic might involve manipulation, emotional abuse, constant criticism, or an overall lack of respect. In work environments, toxicity can stem from bullying, harassment, excessive competition, or a culture that fosters high stress levels, leading to burnout or anxiety among employees. Vilification Vilification refers to a public action that might encourage others to harbour hatred, intense contempt, or severe ridicule towards an individual or a particular group. Victimisation Victimisation refers to the unfair or disadvantageous treatment of an individual or group due to their involvement in reporting, supporting, or resolving a complaint related to discrimination, harassment, or vilification. Discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification and victimisation may be committed by students and employees and may be targeted at students and employees based on their protected attributes outlined below. Protected attributes Listed below are the characteristics based on which discrimination and harassment are prohibited at the Near East University 4. Principles Near East University is dedicated to: Under no circumstances will discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification, or victimization by or of an employee or a student be tolerated. Every individual at the University holds the responsibility to refrain from engaging in discriminatory, harassing, vilifying, or victimizing behaviour. To prevent discrimination, harassment, bullying, mobbing, toxicity, vilification, and victimization, the University: encourages the reporting of behaviour breaching this policy; 5. Procedures Any individual who witnesses or experiences discrimination, harassment, bullying, mobbing, toxicity, vilification, and victimisation at the University is encouraged to take action and file a complaint. Near East University is committed to creating an environment where all individuals feel safe to report any misconduct without fear of reprisal. 5a. Reporting Formal Complaint: If the aggrieved person wishes to file a formal complaint, they must submit a written account of the incident(s) to the Rectorate. The written complaint should include details such as the date, time, location, individuals involved, and any witnesses. Anonymous Reporting: The university provides a mechanism for anonymous reporting; however, the aggrieved person or witness should be aware that anonymity may limit the university's ability to fully investigate the claim. Criminal Matters: Unlawful behaviour including physical or sexual assault, violent threats and severe intimidation, are criminal matters and should be reported to the police for investigation. 5b. Investigation 6.Confidentiality Near East University will maintain the confidentiality of all reports of discrimination, harassment, bullying, mobbing, toxicity, vilification and victimisation in accordance with the applicable law. The identity of aggrieved persons, witnesses, and the accused will be protected throughout the investigation process. Information will only be disclosed to individuals who have a legitimate need to know in order to conduct a thorough and fair investigation. The university is committed to providing reasonable adjustments for students and staff with disabilities, including accessible learning environments, assistive technologies, adapted course delivery, and funding support where necessary.
Policy on the Prevention of Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying, Mobbing, Toxicity, Vilification and Victimisation
Discrimination can take various forms: direct or indirect, overt or covert, verbal, non-verbal, or physical.
Direct discrimination is when a person treats, or proposes to treat, someone unfavourably than another person or group because of
Harassment, a form of discrimination, happens when an individual is subjected to intimidation, insult, or humiliation due to their race, colour, national or ethnic origin; sex, gender identity, pregnancy, breastfeeding; relationship status; caregiving or family responsibilities; age; disability; religion; sexual orientation; involvement in trade unions; or any other characteristic.
Harassment encompasses any behaviour, whether verbal, physical, in-person, through electronic communications, or otherwise, aiming to or resulting in an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational or work environment,
Bullying is characterized by repetitive verbal or nonverbal attacks, overt or covert, which may pose a risk to health and safety. This includes but isn't limited to:
Initial Reporting: The aggrieved person or witness is encouraged to document the misconduct in writing, including details such as dates, times, witnesses, and a description of the behaviour and its location. They are strongly encouraged to promptly report the incident to the University Rectorate. Individuals seeking to make a report may also seek advice and support from the Rectorate before making a formal complaint.
Upon receipt of a report of discrimination, the Rectorate will take the following actions:
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