Guide to transgressive behavior

When do we speak of transgressive behavior?

We define transgressive behavior as behavior that is experienced as crossing a boundary or hurtful, and that results in you no longer feeling safe at your workplace or place of study. Transgressive behavior includes at least:

  • Discrimination
  • Sexual harassment
  • Aggression or violence (including verbal, psychological, or other forms of intimidation)
  • Bullying

Transgressive behavior is different from a work-related conflict. A work-related conflict tends to involve a mutual disruption in the collaboration, and isn't about unwanted behavior such as bullying, sexual harassment, or discrimination.

Feeling unsafe is also not by definition linked to transgressive behavior. This is an individual experience, which doesn't necessarily have to be tied to identifiable behavior, although it may stem from it. It's always good to talk about this feeling.

A confidential advisor can help you figure out whether it involves transgressive behavior.

Conversation, report, and complaint: the differences

There are different ways to take action on transgressive behavior, each with a different weight and different consequences. The overview below shows what each step involves.

Conversation with a confidential advisor

  • The most low-threshold step. Non-binding.
  • Completely confidential
  • No action without your consent
  • The confidential advisor thinks along with you about possible next steps

Report
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  • Officially making an incident known to the employer or client (HR, a manager, or a reporting point).
  • Doesn't immediately trigger a formal procedure
  • The employer is, however, obligated to follow up

Anonymous report

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  • Sending a signal without giving your name, for example via an anonymous reporting point or anonymous email.
  • Cannot be formally followed up on
  • Counts only as a signal, for example to help make patterns visible

Complaint

  • The formal, most serious route, laid down in a complaints procedure.
  • Follows an established procedure
  • Hearing both sides and an investigation into the complaint may take place

External report

  • A report to an external organization, such as filing a police report, a report to the Huis van Klokkenluiders, or a report to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights.
  • Independent of the internal procedure at the employer
  • Follows the external body's own procedure and authority
  • Can be made alongside or instead of an internal report or complaint

Possible routes