About

Zero Tolerance Policy

We enforce a strict Zero Tolerance Policy (ZTP) to harassment and bullying, as defined below.

This policy protects all members, staff, and visitors in all of our venues.

To report a zero tolerance incident, contact our HR Manager, Iain Cupples, via union@.

This policy defines a practical plan for investigating claims of sexual harassment, a clear set of consequences for those found guilty of such complaints, and strategies to help each victim of harassment.

It also serves as a preventative step: as a result of this policy, security and bar staff are trained in how to prevent sexual assault within the Students’ Association, as well as how to recognise its precursory signs.

Posters, beer mats, and stickers are used to further the effectiveness of this policy throughout the Students’ Association.

Definition of harassment:

  • Unwanted physical, verbal, or non-verbal behaviour of any kind, that is unreasonable and offensive to the recipient.
  • Behaviour which violates people's dignity.
  • Behaviour which creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.

Harassment can occur on the basis of any personal attribute that makes an individual different from the majority, or from the person who harasses them.

Types of harassment covered by this policy include, but are not limited to:

  • Race, ethnic origin, nationality or skin colour
    • Derogatory name-calling, insults
    • Reference to skin colour
    • Racist jokes
    • Ridicule for cultural difference
    • Verbal abuse and assault
  • Sexual harassment
    • Unwanted sexual comments, including comments about someone's body or private life
    • Unwelcome sexual invitations, innuendos, and offensive gestures
    • Wolf whistling, catcalling or offensive sexual noises
    • Groping, pinching or smacking, such as someone's bottom or chest
    • Having any item of your clothing lifted, tugged, removed or altered without your consent
    • Someone exposing their sexual organs to you without consent
    • Biting
    • Any other form of unwanted behaviour with a sexual or gender element
  • Sexual orientation harassment
    • Homophobic jokes or remarks
    • Threats to disclose sexual orientation
    • Ridiculing civil partnerships or same-sex couples
  • Gender reassignment harassment
    • Ridiculing dress and personal appearance
    • Offensive jokes and remarks
  • Religion or belief, including political beliefs
    • Offensive remarks and jokes
    • Ridiculing religious beliefs, practices, and dress
  • Disabilities, illness, sensory impairments, or learning difficulties
    • Not recognising competencies
    • Drawing attention to disability or personal appearance
    • Offensive remarks and jokes
    • Ignoring or focusing on a person because of their disability
  • Age
    • Denigrating competencies
    • Patronising
    • Ridiculing
    • Marginalising
    • Leaving people out of social activities
  • Socioeconomic status
    • Patronising, ostracising ,or marginalising someone with a different social or economic background

Definition of bullying:

  • A form of harassment characterised by the abuse of power or position to undermine a person, so that their confidence and self-esteem is weakened or destroyed.
  • Bullying may happen in public or private.
  • Bullying may arise from the personal style of the bully.
  • Attacks may be irrational, unpredictable, and unfair.

Additional documents

  • SRC motion regarding a zero tolerance on harassment and bullying in the Students’ Association (PDF)
  • Zero Tolerance Policy guidelines for staff (PDF)
About

About us

We are here solely for students of the University of St Andrews. We exist to make the student experience as strong as it can be, to provide services for students, and to represent student views to the University and beyond. We are a charity registered in Scotland and we are mostly volunteers, from members of the SRC and SSC to Ents Crew, all the society committee members to the Trustees of our Board.

More about us
Contact

Phone: (01334 46) 2700
Fax: (01334 46) 2740

Email

Address Students' Association
St Mary's Place
St Andrews
KY16 9UZ

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