Join the Dignity & Respect Colleagues Panel
Page updated 1 February 2024
Join the Panel now
UCD is expanding its Dignity & Respect Support Colleagues Panel and expressions of interest are now being invited from UCD employees. The closing date for applications is Monday, 12th February 2024 (Panel in place for April 2024).
Who Can Apply?
If you are interested in fostering an inclusive and welcoming UCD community, the Dignity & Respect Support Service would like to hear from you. The application process for becoming a Dignity & Respect Support Colleague is currently open to the following employees employed by UCD:
- Faculty
- Professional, technical and research staff
- Those with a contract of three years of longer from the appointment date (this is in order to be able to fulfil the three-year term of the role)
In order to ensure that the Dignity & Respect Support Colleagues Panel is as representative of the University community as possible, employees from diverse backgrounds, including those who identify with any of the protected characteristics under the University’s 10 equality grounds are particularly encouraged to apply.
What's involved?
Dignity & Respect Support Colleagues are UCD employees who bring their own expertise and skills to this role by actively contributing to a culture where bullying, harassment and/or sexual misconduct are not tolerated. This is a voluntary role which plays a vital and visible part in helping to build and enhance a culture of dignity and respect across UCD.
The Dignity & Respect Support Colleagues Panel is a dynamic one, comprised of individuals who have a deep understanding of UCD’s Dignity & Respect policies and supports.
Support Colleagues are bound by UCD’s Dignity & Respect Support Colleagues: Code of Conduct and act as visible role models who report inappropriate behaviour, signposting employees to the many support services available in UCD.
There are two key aspects of this role:
- Support: Support Colleagues provide peer-to-peer guidance and support around UCD’s Dignity & Respect Policies. They provide information on how to navigate both informal and formal reporting processes.
- Culture Change/Outreach Activity: Support Colleagues proactively engage in a range of targeted outreach activities for students and employees, including lecture addressing, presentations, workshops and information stands across the University.
You can find out more about the characteristics a Support Colleague has here in the Dignity and Respect Support Colleagues Code of Practice.
The application process
Employees can apply via:
- Self-nomination
- Nomination from their manager
- Invitation by the UCD EDI Unit/Dignity & Respect Support Service
Self Nomination
Step 1 - You must discuss your intention to apply for the role of a Dignity & Respect Support Colleague in UCD with your line manager/Head of School/Unit.
Step 2 - Read the Dignity and Respect Support Colleagues Code of Practice.
Step 3 - Complete the Dignity and respect colleagues expression of interest form.
Step 4 - Ensure your line manager/Head of School/Unit signs the Expression of Interest form.
Step 5 - Return the completed Expression of Interest form, along with details of one referee internal to the University to (opens in a new window)respect@ucd.ie by COB Tuesday, 6th February 2024.
Employees should consider whether this role is in conflict with any other roles they currently hold within the University. If you are unsure or have any queries on the application process itself, please contact Dignity & Respect Support Adviser Louise Walsh by emailing (opens in a new window)respect@ucd.ie who can advise.
Nomination from their manager
An employee’s line manager can submit the name and email address of the employee they wish to nominate (with the employee’s permission) to (opens in a new window)respect@ucd.ie with the subject line ‘D&R Support Colleague Nomination’.
A staff member from the Dignity & Respect Support Service will contact the nominated employee with next steps on the application process.
Important: Employees and their managers should consider whether this role is in conflict with any other roles they currently hold within the University. If you are unsure or have any queries on the application process itself, please contact Dignity & Respect Support Adviser Louise Walsh by emailing (opens in a new window)respect@ucd.ie who can advise.
Photo of the Dignity & Respect Colleagues receiving their Values In Action award in 2022
What about training?
There will be one full day’s training, delivered by an external training provider. Attendance and participation in this will be mandatory to qualify as a Dignity & Respect Support Colleague.
Benefits to you
- Being a visible role model to the UCD community
- Contributing to an inclusive community and environment in UCD where bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct are not tolerated
- Gain valuable experience by engaging in cultural change and outreach activity
- Collaborate with the Dignity & Respect Support Service on initiatives