Respect, fairness and solidarity GUIDE – Procedure for dealing with conflicts and misconduct
In order to ensure respectful and fair interaction in a consistently positive working and educational climate at Heidelberg University GUIDE was conceptually developed in a long-term participatory process and is currently being put into practice. GUIDE's vision is to ensure that all people at the university are treated with respect in their studies, teaching and work.
In order to ensure respectful and fair treatment in a consistently positive working and (training) environment and to promote mutual respect among all members of the university community in their studies, teaching and work, GUIDE was developed over many years of consultation and is currently being implemented.
With the aim of professionalising the handling of conflicts and misconduct (sexual harassment, bullying, stalking and discrimination) and creating transparency, a comprehensive concept for the sustainable professional handling of conflicts and misconduct was developed in a participatory process in 2023 and adopted by the Rectorate: GUIDE.
GUIDE is designed to provide those affected and confidential contact points with services and clear contact structures so that they can quickly and confidently find their way around the respective structures. In addition to providing advice and following up on processes, an independent central contact point is primarily responsible for training all university members, as well as for intervision/supervision of the confidential contact points and monitoring by the Rectorate.
Our counselling is based on the subjective feelings of those seeking advice in relation to the discrimination they have experienced – for example, in the form of sexist, racist, anti-Semitic, anti-Muslim, ableist, transphobic or queerphobic actions or statements – in cases of sexual harassment, bullying, stalking and conflicts at work or in their studies.
From 15 November 2024, nearly 70 volunteer confidential guides will begin working for GUIDE as direct, low-threshold points of contact for support within the university system. Further information can be found in the confidential guide concept and on the GUIDE confidential guide pages.