Workplace misconduct reported by ten per cent of staff

10 per cent of staff members — across all job types and academic units — have witnessed offensive behaviour at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). This is according to new figures from the just-published workplace assessment. The last time it was carried out was in 2022, the number was eight per cent. The survey also shows that 10 per cent of UCPH staff have been subjected to bullying — up from nine per cent in 2022.

The University Post takes a closer look at the figures and trends from the newly released reports now available on KUnet.

Two per cent of surveyed employees report having been subjected to unwanted sexual attention, including inappropriate jokes, staring, intrusive questions, unwanted touching, or inappropriate invitations to dates or sex. Two respondents say they were forced into sex.

Two per cent of employees report having received threats of violence, and in total, 10 people have experienced threats to their safety, including death threats.

Stress and poor work-life balance

Seven per cent of employees say they have been on sick leave over the past year due to workload, stress or other job-related demands, which is in line with the 2022 survey (seven per cent). Across faculties, the workplace assessment shows problems with stress. The findings suggest widespread problems with working hours and workload at the university.

READ ALSO: Does the 2022 APV reflect the real world at UCPH? 

On the question of whether staff feel they have enough time to complete their work tasks — rated on a scale from 1 (worst) to 5 (best) — the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Law both score a 2.8. Staff at the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences staff appear to have the fewest problems completing tasks, with a score of 3.4.

The Faculty of Social Sciences scores a 2.9 on the question of whether staff rarely experience work being so energy-draining that it affects their private life.

A picture emerges of staff across faculties struggling to find time for both teaching and research, with low scores on the balance between working hours and workload.

Managers report having less time for research than other employees. Across job titles, faculty-affiliated academic staff (VIPs) report the greatest imbalance between working hours and workload, and they are more likely to feel that work negatively affects their private life.

Trust in university management (the rectorate) scores around 3.4 across faculties.

The physical working environment unchanged

There appears to be satisfaction with the physical facilities throughout UCPH. 81 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that they have good physical working conditions. Noise and lighting issues have improved slightly since the 2022 APV, and so has the option of working from home without physical strain.

21 per cent of UCPH employees disagree or strongly disagree that they have a good indoor air quality and temperature. The main complaints are heat (55 per cent), cold (46 per cent), and ventilation (51 per cent).

22 per cent disagree or strongly disagree that they are not disturbed by noise. This is slightly better than in the last APV. The main sources of disturbance are open-plan offices (46 per cent) and hallway noise (47 per cent).

Across faculties, there are significant differences in how employees rate the physical facilities. Staff at the Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Social Sciences are the least satisfied, while the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Theology score the highest.

Men are slightly more satisfied with the physical work environment than women.