Human Resources Division
Dignity@Work Contacts: Code of Practice
The role of a Dignity@Work Contact is described in the University's Dignity@Work Procedure. The full policy and procedure can be found on the Dignity@Work pages and is also available as a booklet from the Human Resources Division.
Who are the Contacts?
Dignity@Work Contacts are volunteer members of staff, drawn from a variety of backgrounds and roles throughout the University, who have received training to act as a first point of contact for members of staff and sometimes graduate students who are being bullied or harassed, or have been accused of bulling or harassment.
| What a contact can do | What a contact cannot do |
|---|---|
| Explain the Dignity@Work procedure and what options you have within this procedure | Give legal advice |
| Suggest sources of support (e.g. the University Counselling Service, the Occupational Health Service) | Offer ongoing emotional support |
| Help you to think about possible courses of action and the potential effects of whatever you decide to do | Act as your representative if you decide to take any action |
| Help you to analyse the problem and to draft any letter or note you may need to prepare | Write on your behalf |
What is the next step?
If you would like to talk confidentially to a Dignity@Work Contact, you should call (7)65031 which is a confidential voice-mail number and leave your name and preferred contact details, or email dignitycontacts@admin.cam.ac.uk.
Your message will be picked up by the Dignity@Work co-ordinator who will ask a Contact to get in touch with you to arrange an appointment. This will be done as quickly as possible, with the aim of your hearing from the Contact within two working days unless this is impossible.
You may find it helpful to write down the key points you want to make in advance of the meeting.
Normally a meeting with a Contact will be scheduled for 50 minutes. A follow-up meeting is not usually necessary, but can be arranged in particular circumstances.