Changes made to the existing procedure and policy

The University of York’s Dignity at Work and Study Policy (DAWS) has been revised and updated to contain a greater range of information about appropriate reporting routes for students and staff who have concerns about harassment, bullying, and hate incidents.

We have removed the staff procedure for making complaints of bullying, harassment or hate incidents from DAWS. Instead, this policy now signposts to the Grievance Procedure, which has been comprehensively revised. The Grievance Procedure has been amended to match the approach that was outlined in the previous version of the DAWS policy. This change was made to reduce duplication and movement between different procedures to create one seamless process that is clearer and simpler to follow for both staff and managers.

We have also created a new Grievance form to help individuals set out the precise nature of a complaint and what should be included.

Changes to both policies and procedures have been fully consulted with the three campus Trade Unions.

The Dignity at Work and Study policy and associated procedures will be updated again later in 2025 to reflect any changes that are made to University policies and procedures as a result of new regulations relating to sexual harassment of staff and sexual misconduct against students (both from staff and other students).