Where to turn in the event of an integrity violation
Half a year into her new mandate as Personal Integrity Coordinator, Dr. Andrea Bauer takes stock for the first time. There has been a great demand for advice and support in the past few months, and there is still a lot more work to be done.
19 March 2020
Leaning back? Not an option for Andrea Flora Bauer. The Personal Integrity Coordinator always wants to question, adapt, improve her work. Only six months ago, the service unit was created. Since then, she has been providing advice and support to members of the University of Basel, who have experienced an integrity violation.
“Those affected usually feel powerless and they are relieved when they can voice their problem,” says Bauer. Discrimination, bullying, abuse of power, sexual harassment – the range is wide. “I am here to take those seriously who are affected and to show them possible solutions.” The aim is to provide a low-threshold offer and as that the service unit has been appreciated. Among the incidents that have been reported to date are also complex cases for which there is no easy fix.
Comprehensive measures underway
Bauer has received 35 reports in the past six months. Two-thirds from women, one-third from men. Those affected often turned to her before the situation escalated. More than two-thirds of the cases have been closed “after individual measures and to the satisfaction of those affected.” Andrea Bauer is confident that with the support of her network, she will be able to find solutions for the pending cases. In her opinion, it is important to redefine the external investigation procedures and to revise the underlying regulations. The aim should be to improve processes and to also include topics such as discrimination or bullying.
The coordination office was created as a result of a harassment case that was publicly discussed. In this context it became apparent that “the university has to go over the books and that processes have to be improved,” says Bauer.
Sexual harassment currently accounts for ten percent of the reported incidents. Bauer warns: “However, the figures alone only provide information about the number of reports and not about what and how much happened.” Thus, in her view, it is all the more important to invest heavily in prevention work and into building trust. To this end, Andrea Bauer is in contact with different groups and interest groups as well as university units. Together, they work at high speed on a code of conduct and online trainings.
“More and more managers are asking for such trainings, as social awareness of integration violations is leading to uncertainty,” says Bauer. And what is her plan for when the regulations and training courses are in place? “Respecting and protecting personal integrity is not only a goal, but an ongoing process. We must dynamically accompany and support this process. I don`t think, I will ever be at a point where I will say, ʻeverything is going perfectly smoothʼ.”
“Ask me anything” with Andrea Bauer
Do you have questions for Andrea Bauer? On Monday, 23 March 2020, the Coordinator for Personal Integrity offers an “Ask me anything” in an Story on the Instagram account of the University of Basel.
