1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. About BFH
  3. Profile + Values
  4. Protection of personal integrity at BFH
  5. Discrimination
See table of contents See table of contents

Discrimination

Discrimination refers to utterances or actions that seek to degrade the dignity of a person based on their individual characteristics or disadvantage them for no material reason.

Discrimination refers to utterances or actions that seek to degrade the dignity of a person based on their individual characteristics or disadvantage them for no material reason.

This page offers affected persons and interested parties:

  • Information: what is discrimination?
  • Explanations: what should you do if you are affected by discrimination? What should you do if you have observed discriminatory behaviour?
  • Resources: information and support services

We do not tolerate discrimination. We, and in particular persons in positions of authority, have a responsibility to ensure a non-discriminatory, inclusive environment. The basis for this are the BFH Code of Conduct and the Regulations for the protection of personal integrity.

Persons affected by discrimination receive counselling and support. Persons who discriminate against others are held accountable.

At a glance

What is discrimination?

Discrimination refers to utterances or actions that seek to degrade or disadvantage a person for any of the following characteristics or for no material reason:

  • sex, gender identity, sexual orientation;
  • age;
  • ethnicity, origin, skin colour;
  • language;
  • social position, professional status, education;
  • way of life;
  • religious, ideological or political convictions;
  • physical, mental or psychological characteristics.

You’ve experienced an incident – what should you do?

1. Address the person directly:
 

  • Tell the discriminating person clearly and unambiguously that you feel discriminated against by their behaviour.
  • Signal to the person that you will consider taking further steps if the behaviour does not stop immediately.

2. Documentation:
 

  • Record the incidents in writing. Take note of who, what, when and where the incident occurred and whether there are witnesses or evidence.
  • Save evidence such as e-mails, WhatsApp messages, etc.

3. Confidential counselling and support:
 

  • Get support in your private and professional environment.
  • Not all persons can defend themselves against discrimination. If necessary, seek confidential advice from the responsible counselling centres.

4. Internal contact via the line manager or report to the Investigative Service:
 

  • If you would like BFH to do something, talk to your supervisor, the HR consultant responsible for you, your teachers or the head of your degree programme, or contact the BFH Investigative Service.
  • You can find information on making internal contact via the line manager or reporting to the Investigative Service on the page about the protection of personal integrity at BFH.

You’ve witnessed an incident – what should you do?

How should you behave when you observe discrimination in your environment? You can assist the person who experienced the discrimination with the following actions:

  • Talk to the affected about the incidents.
  • Encourage them to take action and defend themselves against the attacks.
  • Inform managers of the discrimination.
  • If there is an investigation of the incident, make yourself available as a witness.
  • Demonstrate civic courage: do not laugh at discriminatory language and jokes. Say that you don’t find it funny.

Source: movis.ch/en/scholarly-articles/discrimination/

More about this topic

Further information

Other support services

The Investigative Service

The Investigative Service has an obligation to act as soon as it becomes aware of a violation of personal integrity. You can contact the Investigative Service at personal.integrity@bfh.ch or contact a member of the Investigative Service directly.