Work environment and equal opportunities

Your higher education institution has an overall responsibility to work systematically to improve the students’ work environment. The higher education institution must also establish procedures together with co-workers, students and safety representatives to prevent ill-health and accidents.

With a few exceptions, the Work Environment Act gives students the same right as employees to a good physical and psychosocial work environment. The systematic work environment management is regulated by the Work Environment Act and covers all students at universities and other higher education institutions. 

As a student, you can get involved in your student union to engage in advocacy work relating to students’ study and work environment. At most higher education institutions there are local work environment and equal opportunities councils which include student representatives.

Student safety representatives are not that different to safety representatives at other workplaces. They represent students in issues related to the study environment at higher education institutions, and work to ensure that students have a better physical and psychosocial work environment. An important part of the work involves participating in planning, for example when there are changes in premises, resources, programme structures or organisational changes that are important for the students’ work environment.

Equal opportunities  

Equal Opportunities means ensuring everyone’s equal value, rights, responsibilities and opportunities. It covers, among other things, discrimination, harassment/sexual harassment and victimisation. Work on Equal Opportunities is both governed by law and by objectives, such as the requirements of the Discrimination Act. All higher education institutions are tasked with actively working on Equal Opportunities and taking active measures within their establishment, in order to create a good work and study environment for students.  

Discrimination  

Discrimination means being disadvantaged or victimised on one of the seven grounds of discrimination: 

• sex
• transgender identity or expression
• ethnicity
• religion or other belief
• disability
• sexual orientation
• age.

Discrimination may take six different forms:

• direct discrimination
• indirect discrimination
• inadequate accessibility
• harassment
• sexual harassment
• instructions to discriminate.

If you are subject to differential treatment based on one or more of the grounds for discrimination and forms of discrimination, it is seen as discrimination in the eyes of the law.  

Victimisation  

Victimisation is any act directed at one or more persons in an offensive way that can lead to ill-health or social exclusion. In the long run, victimisation can develop into bullying if the act is repeated.  

Harassment and sexual harassment   

Harassment and sexual harassment are included as forms of discrimination. Harassment is an offensive act against your dignity, which relates to one or more of the seven grounds for discrimination.  

Sexual harassment is harassment with a sexual component offensive to your dignity. However, sexual harassment does not necessarily have to be related to the grounds for discrimination.  

Harassment and sexual harassment are unwanted behaviours, and it is therefore the victim who decides what is unwanted or offensive.  

What can you do? 

Speak with the representative(s) at your higher education institution who work(s) on equal opportunities issues. All higher education institutions work actively on these issues. If you are in need of support, you can contact the student health service at your higher education institution.

If you have been harassed in any way, find someone you feel safe talking to. You can contact the student health service at your higher education institution for advice and support. You also have the opportunity to report any kind of incident to the police if necessary.