Harassment training

Harassment in Higher Education 

This course has been created to help staff to understand what constitutes harassment, including sexual harassment, and the steps to take if you experience or witness harassment including sexual harassment.  

It offers guidance for managers on how to handle a complaint. It provides an overview of the legislation relating to harassment and the University’s Harassment Policy. This training is required by all University employed members of staff. 

The University has introduced this required training in response to legislative changes that came into effect in October 2024 (the Worker Protection Act 2023) requiring employers to proactively take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of workers in the course of their employment.  

The objectives of this course are: 

• Be aware of the legislation relating to harassment including sexual harassment  

• Be aware of the University’s Harassment Policy  

• Feel able to describe what constitutes sexual harassment  

• Be aware of the impact of sexual harassment  

• Understand the steps to take if you experience or witness harassment, including sexual harassment 

You will need your single sign on credentials to access the training – Harassment in Higher Education  

Estimated course duration - 30 - 45 minutes

Equality and diversity briefing: online course

This practical course is strongly recommended for all University staff. It introduces you to what equality and diversity mean and why they are so important both to the University and to you as an individual. It provides an overview of the legislation, your rights and responsibilities, and guidelines for ensuring that equality and diversity are embedded in your work.

Using your single sign-on credentials, download the course.

Little things matter: The Impact of micro-behaviours in the workplace

Four short videos that explore micro-behaviours and micro-inequities and the important part they play in our working relationships, and in addressing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Using your single sign-on credentials, view the videos.

Student mental health e-learning for university / college staff

A free e-learning package for all university / college staff from the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust is now available. For students in distress, the first point of contact is often with non-specialist university/ college staff such as porters, domestic staff, bar staff, security, academic tutors or maintenance staff. The first conversation students have with a member of staff like this can be vital – in ensuring they receive a warm, empathic and understanding response to help them immediately, and that they are then signposted, if necessary, to receive help from a mental health specialist.

Developed by the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust, this new e-learning package is designed to give non-specialist staff the skills, knowledge and confidence to offer this first line of support. Introduced by well-known TV presenter Alexander Armstrong, the package consists of six, easy-to-follow 20-minute sessions, including: Signs to look out for, key helping skills, knowing who else to involve, and supporting students at risk or in crisis.

Responsible Bystander Workshop

Bystander intervention is a vital component in tackling bullying and harassment, as we all have a part to play in creating our workplace culture.  Through our everyday interactions we are challenging or enforcing social norms, we are leading by example and role modelling behaviour.  The Responsible Bystander workshop aims to empower you with the confidence and tools to challenges problematic behaviour in a safe, respectful and productive way before it escalates to bullying and harassment.  

If you would like to organise this training for your department or faculty, please contact harassment.line@admin.ox.ac.uk

Assertiveness and Difficult Conversation

People and Organisational Development have links to a number of self-access courses and resources on their website, in particular:

The essentials of assertive communication

Difficult conversations

Dealing with challenging conversations 

The Oxford University SU runs a variety of training for students including:

• Sexual Consent workshops
• Queer Consent workshops
• Bystander Intervention training
• Sexual Violence training
• First Responder training.

For more information please visit their website: www.oxfordsu.org 

All Harassment Advisors are required to attend training before being inducted into the role. The following training is offered to Harassment Advisors: 

Induction (refresher) training - Required. 

• This can be completed online or in person. 

• The sign up for the 2024-25 academic year can be found here: Training Sign-up

We also run three Talk and Support sessions a year: 

These sessions are designed to support Harassment Advisors in their role. Past sessions have been attended by the Proctors Office, the Sexual Harassment and Violence Support Service, HR, Security Services, we have also had talks on Race Awareness, Mental Health awareness, Listening skills and Assertiveness skills.  The sessions provide an opportunity learn, ask questions and talk with other Harassment Advisors.  

The initial induction training training options in more detail are as follows:

Face-to-face session

The in person training takes place over 3 hours with a short break in the middle. To become a Harassment Advisor you must attend for all three hours. This training enables practical application of the procedure and policies to example case studies.

Hybrid learning programme

This version requires independent study as well as an online facilitated session. 

Step 1
A self-guided presentation 

Step 2
Attend an online session. 

You do need to complete the first part of the programme before attending the online session. And both sections of the hybrid programme need to be completed to become a Harassment Advisor.
 
Please email the Harassment Line if you have any questions.