Fostering safety and respect

Building a safe and respectful culture

We take proactive steps to promote positive and respectful interactions across our learning and working environments. Our prevention efforts focus on awareness, education, and leadership development, ensuring everyone understands their rights and responsibilities.

Initiatives and resources include:

• Awareness and education programs to help our community understand the University’s Workplace Behaviour Policy and Student Conduct Policy.
• Leadership and supervisor training to equip staff to navigate complex workplace or classroom matters and address concerns respectfully.
• All-community forums and information sessions delivered collaboratively by FBE Leadership, Human Resources, Workplace Integrity, and Safer Community teams.
• Video resources outlining the ways to access support, raise a concern, and understand what to expect from the process.
• Safer Community Program visibility campaigns to encourage early help-seeking and intervention.

Reporting and support channels

If you experience or witness inappropriate, unsafe, or disrespectful behaviour, several confidential and independent channels are available to support you in raising a concern or making a report.

Reporting and advice options:

• Workplace Integrity Team – for confidential advice or guidance (workplace-integrity@unimelb.edu.au).
• Speak Safely Portal – allows anonymous or named reporting and encrypted chat support.
• Student Wellbeing Service – for students seeking advice, advocacy, or wellbeing support.
• Inappropriate Workplace Behaviour Reporting Service – an independent, confidential reporting service where you can make a report online, or you can call 1800MULine (1800 685 463) during business hours (9am to 5.30pm AEST). Both options include the choice to report anonymously. This service is owned and operated by Worklogic on behalf of the University. Further information in relation to the service can be found when you click through the hyperlink above.
• Safer Community Program – provides advice, referrals, and support relating to inappropriate or threatening behaviour.
  • Phone: +61 3 9035 8675
  • Email: safer-community@unimelb.edu.au
  • Address: Stop 1, 757 Swanston Street, Parkville
• Staff may also wish to consult the Staff Hub to access further information in relation to making a report.
• FBE Human Resources team – for staff seeking confidential advice or assistance.

Resources and ongoing support

Support is available for anyone impacted by challenging or unsafe situations to promote healing, wellbeing, and restoration of trust and safety within our community.

Available support services:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – free, confidential counselling for University staff and their immediate families.
  • Includes Indigenous Cultural Assist and Response for Employees (ICARE).
  • Access 24/7 via 1800 808 374 or the Wellbeing Gateway app.
• Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) – confidential counselling for students and staff.
• University Health Service – medical and mental health support for both staff and students.
• Safer Community Program – provides referrals to specialist agencies for wellbeing, safety planning, and recovery.

Take time to recover:

Staff may also access leave options to support their wellbeing and recovery. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for:

• Special leave
• Domestic violence leave

For details on eligibility and how to apply, visit the Leave and Public Holidays page on the intranet or speak with your People Leader or HR Business Partner for confidential advice.