Have you experienced transgressive behavior? And are you unable or unwilling to discuss it with someone within your organization? If so, you can reach out to one of our independent confidential counselors. You decide what happens next.
How do I contact a confidential counselor?
It is possible that a counselor is available at the organization you work for or with your client. First, see if it is possible and appropriate to reach out to this counselor. If that is not possible or you do not want to, you can contact one of Mores' counselors.
Decide for yourself which counselor you want to talk to by sending this person an email. Sometimes a counselor is unable to assist you. In that case, he will refer you to a colleague.
Would you prefer to contact us via WhatsApp? That is also possible. Send a message to our joint number 06 — 12 16 33 26 and indicate who you would like to speak to. The counselor usually responds within two business days, often even within one business day.
What is a conversation with a confidential counselor like?
The counselor offers a listening ear and plenty of space for your story and emotions. The counselor will map out your situation with you, would like to know what you would like and discusses the various options. For each option, you will discuss the advantages and disadvantages. The counselor helps you make your own appropriate choice. You are the one who decides what happens in the end. It is also possible that you just vent your heart and take no further action. That's fine, because you're in control.
The counselor will stand by your side, but will not take over the problem for you. In principle, the counselor is completely on your side and can therefore not mediate or investigate a complaint himself.
Most conversations are over the phone or via Teams. If necessary, you can also meet on location.
A number of counselors speak English. If you need a (gesture) interpreter, we'll try to find one.
We do everything we can to provide you with the best possible support. If it turns out during our conversation that someone else can help you better or further, we will refer you to another professional. The counselor shares nothing from the conversation, even if asked. The counselor also does not share any traceable information from the conversation with the Mores office or board.
Does everything I say remain confidential?
The confidential counselor has a duty to treat the information they receive confidentially, even after the support has ended. This means that, in principle, the information is not shared with others, unless legal regulations determine otherwise or the counselor is in need of conscience.
Mores' counselors report quarterly to Mores' management and board on the number of conversations they have had and the number of hours worked. They also mention what forms of transgressive behavior and from which discipline people have contacted. The counselors do not provide information about the content of the conversations that can be traced back to a person.
The counselor can only break confidentiality when it comes to serious offenses that are subject to reporting or when the counselor is in need of conscience, for example in the event of an acute danger that can be prevented. Should confidentiality need to be broken, the counselor will follow the Protocol Breaking Confidentiality of the National Association for Confidentials (National Association for Confidentials) (LVV).
I experienced transgressive behaviour
When you are confronted with transgressive behaviour, it can be helpful to discuss this directly with the person responsible. Transgressive behaviour can sometimes occur without malicious intent, and the individual may be unaware of the impact of their actions. Ideally, you should address this immediately when the behaviour occurs. However, this might not always be possible—perhaps because you are too shocked at the moment, or because you only later realize the behavior was transgressive. In such cases, it’s still fine to discuss it with the person afterwards. Addressing the issue can often prevent it from happening again.
Sometimes, speaking directly to the person is difficult—for instance, if the behavior is particularly serious or if previous attempts to address it were unsuccessful. In these situations, you can seek help from your supervisor, client, HR, or your organization’s appointed counselor. If none of these options are available or appropriate, you can always contact a Mores counselor.
Have you signed a “confidentiality” or “non-disclosure” agreement at any point? Don’t worry—such agreements typically have little to no weight when it comes to addressing transgressive behaviour. Feel free to contact us, and we will explore the situation and your options together.
For more information about the informal and formal routes to address transgressive behaviour, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our confidential advisors.
I am a bystander to transgressive behaviour
If you observe transgressive behaviour in your workplace, consider whether it might be possible to address the behavior directly. It’s possible that multiple people perceive it as transgressive, while the person causing the behaviour may be unaware of its impact. Alternatively, others may not find the behavior transgressive at all, which is also valuable to understand.
If addressing the behavior directly doesn’t feel appropriate, you might consider reaching out to the person who may be affected by it. This ensures they don’t face the situation alone and provides immediate support.
If it is evident that the behaviour is transgressive but the affected person feels unable to take action, you might decide to inform a manager or client to raise a signal about the issue. Additionally, you can always reach out to a Mores confidential counselor for advice or to discuss the situation further.
I have been held accountable for transgressive behaviour
Should a colleague or your supervisor or client appeal to you that your behaviour has been experienced as transgressive, we ask you to consider the effect of your behaviour. Even if your intentions were good, your behaviour may have come across as transgressive. Then it helps to acknowledge that and apologize for the impact of your behavior.
When someone speaks to you about your behavior or even accuses you of transgressive behaviour, this can lead to an unpleasant situation or an uncomfortable feeling. Know that you can always get assistance from your supervisor or client, HR or someone they have appointed as a supervisor. If this does not suit you, you can also always reach out to a Mores confidential counselor. They can assist you and discuss what options you have. Managers or clients and HR can assist both you and those who suffer from transgressive behaviour. The counselor can only assist one person at a time.
A complaint has been filed against me
If a colleague files a complaint against you with the complaints committee of your organization, you will be informed by the committee. You will be invited to a hearing where you can share your side of the story. You may also submit documents to support your case and suggest witnesses who can provide relevant testimony.
During this process, you can seek assistance from a supervisor appointed by your organization. If such a person is unavailable or if it is not appropriate to contact them, you can reach out to a Mores confidential counselor. They can provide support and help you explore your options.
You are protected from harm or disadvantage if you are accused of transgressive behavior. An accusation does not equate to guilt. If you feel you are being treated unfairly or disadvantaged, we encourage you to discuss this with your supervisor, client, or HR. If this is not an option, a Mores confidential counselor can assist you and help you determine the next steps.
If it is determined that you have acted in a (seriously) culpable manner, your employer or client may impose appropriate sanctions.
As a manager, client or HR, I received a notification or signal
As a manager or supervisor, it is often a shock when you receive a signal or report of transgressive behaviour. It is important not to miss signals, but also that you do not make it too big and do not react hastily. On the page organizational advice we provide a number of tools for this.
One of the most crucial responsibilities of managers and HR is to properly conduct the initial support conversation with the employee who experienced transgressive behaviour. Tips for the initial support conversation can be found on this page. (Note: that we currently only offer both the tools and advice in Dutch.)
Do you need advice on a specific case? Then contact your organization's HR advisor or counselor or, if that's not possible, one of Mores' counselors.
Mores provides support through confidential counselors and offers advice to organizations. For other forms of assistance, you can contact the organizations listed below.
What is Mores' support service?
As a support service, Mores provides a safety net for anyone working or studying in the sector who is dealing with transgressive behaviour and cannot or does not want to approach a confidential counselor within their own organization.
What role does a confidential counselor fulfill?
The counselor lends an ear and discusses the options for finding a solution. If desired, the counselor can support you in the chosen course of action. The counselor stands by your side, but you remain in control.
Who can turn to a confidential counselor from Mores?
Anyone working in the cultural, creative, or media sector—whether as an employee, freelancer, or volunteer—can turn to Mores. This also applies to students in arts education programs and interns. The confidential counselors are there for anyone who has experienced transgressive behavior. They also provide support or advice to those who have witnessed such behavior, are accused of it, or, as managers or organizations, are unsure how to respond to a report. A confidential counselor will never assist both sides of the same case. Additionally, the confidential counselors do not share confidential information with Mores staff or the board.
What is transgressive behaviour?
Transgressive behavior includes, as a baseline, sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, and aggression or violence, including verbal or emotional intimidation. Whether you experience something as transgressive is subjective. Even if you are unsure whether something falls under transgressive behavior, you can discuss it with a confidential counselor.
What issues cannot be discussed with a confidential counselor?
The confidential counselor will refer you to another professional if necessary, for example, if there are issues in your private life or a labour dispute. If you need psychological support, coaching, or legal assistance, the confidential counselor will also provide a referral. However, they can continue to support you in addressing transgressive behaviour in the workplace.
If you transgressive behaviour outside the workplace or from, for instance, people in your audience, the confidential counselor can offer a listening ear but will also refer you to the appropriate resources. Journalists, in such cases, can turn to PersVeilig.
How much does it cost to get in touch?
There are no costs associated with the support provided to individuals who reach out to a confidential counselor.
