What are Dignity Listeners?
A Dignity Listener is a staff member who is identified as a point of contact for LSE staff to confidentially discuss any challenges they are facing to their dignity at work, such as bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, or discrimination. They provide support by listening to colleague’s concerns in an informal, safe and confidential environment, helping them navigate University policies and procedures, and signposting to the different routes for reporting issues, documentation, and wellbeing support.
Dignity Listeners are in a variety of roles across the School (academic or professional services), who volunteer their time to support other colleagues, and have received dedicated training. They do not replace the existing support structures or informal/formal routes for reporting grievances, or preclude taking any formal/informal action. Rather, Dignity Listeners offer an opportunity to talk to someone independent (including outside one’s department) and better understand the possible next steps.
This short video further explains the scheme and how it aligns with our university value of being Respectful.
What Dignity Listeners can and cannot do
A Dignity Listener can:
- Make themselves available to colleagues in the LSE School who wishes to discuss issues relating to dignity at work, for example, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, or other unacceptable behaviour.
- Listen without making any judgments about what is said, providing a friendly, supportive, independent and safe environment to individuals.
- Help the individual to clarify their thoughts about what is happening.
- Maintain confidentiality at all times in line with the General Data Protection Regulations, except in the circumstances described below.
- Be contactable by staff during working hours, but not expected to respond immediately.
- Explain the informal and formal procedures under the University policy for the prevention and reporting of dignity at work issues.
- Help explore the various options available.
- Help explore other sources of support which may be available.
A Dignity Listener cannot:
- Tell people what they should do.
- Investigate allegations or make judgements on what has taken place.
- Undertake the duties of a line manager, mentor, third party monitor or counsellor.
- Advocate on other’s behalf, or represent them in formal proceedings.
- Maintain confidentiality if they believe that there is a risk of harm to the individual or others.
Training
Listeners have completed a dedicated training session (2h), and the mandatory staff training from the University, and have a “Handbook for Listeners” with dedicated information for signposting to the policy and procedures and support available.
The Dignity Listeners team will meet once per term, to provide peer support, evaluate any issues arising with the scheme or information provided, inform future actions, as well as assess time demands on volunteers.
Management Team
The scheme has been developed and is managed by the following team:
- Dr Nura Sidarus, Chair of the Psychology EDI Team
- Prof Narender Ramnani, LSE School Vice Dean for EDI
- Ellie Rayner, Head of Organisational Development and Diversity, HR Department
- Donna Randall, HR Business Partner for LSE School
We are grateful to Dr Queenie Chan (Department of Earth Sciences) for helping to develop and propose the scheme.
Dignity Listeners
Our trained Dignity Listeners are listed below, and LSE staff can feel free to choose to contact any of them, regardless of departmental affiliations.
Note this scheme is currently in a pilot phase, and restricted to staff members of the School of Life Sciences and the Environment.
Jamie Moffatt (he/him)
Department of Psychology
I am a post-doctoral researcher based in the Department of Psychology. As a Dignity Listener I hope to offer a friendly and confidential ear to any sort of issues you might be experiencing. Together, we can work to clarify your thoughts and identify the next steps you might take to reach a resolution. As a representative for Early-Career Researchers (ECRs) in my department, I am particularly eager to offer support to others in the early-career stage who might feel isolated and unsure of how to navigate the University’s policies and procedures.
Jenny Murdoch (she/her)
Department of Biological Sciences
I am an academic staff member in the Department of Biological Sciences. Everyone should feel comfortable in their working environment, and able to work with dignity. Sometimes you may feel a situation is not right - and want to talk this through with someone. As a Dignity Listener I can offer that listening ear, in a friendly, supportive, and safe space. My role is to help you clarify your thoughts about what is happening and support you in exploring the options available. Please feel welcome to contact me for a confidential and non-judgemental discussion about any areas of concern.
Katie Lloyd-Jones (she/her)
Department of Biological Sciences
I have worked in the Biological Sciences department as a Research Technician at Royal Holloway for 6 years supporting MSc and PhD students in the laboratory environment. I have previously worked abroad as a post-doctoral researcher as well as at various universities and government run companies in the UK, where I researched aspects of autoimmune disease and infectious diseases. I especially enjoy the culture at Royal Holloway and would like to see everyone flourish here. In my role as a Dignity Listener, I would like to provide help and support to individuals so ensuring Royal Holloway is a great place to work and study.
Kel Liu (he/him)
Department of Biological Sciences
I am a technician and deputy to the Technical Operations Manager in the department of Biological Sciences.
As a Dignity Listener, my role is to listen and reflect with you. The workplace can occasionally be a challenging environment – sometimes, even just an informal chat over coffee can be helpful. Beyond that, I am here to support you clarifying your thoughts and, where appropriate, assist you in exploring next-steps and the College's policies, procedures & support systems that are available. Our conversation will always be in a safe supportive space, it will remain confidential, and your privacy is always in mind.
Nura Sidarus (she/her)
Department of Psychology
I am a lecturer in the Department of Psychology, and the chair of our departmental Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team. I have been working to promote EDI for a few years across international institutions and groups. This has developed my understanding of the various ways people can experience challenges to their dignity in the workplace, and how difficult it can be to know what to do next. I have worked to develop this scheme and be available to support staff personally as a Dignity Listener, since I believe it can be so important to have someone to talk to, and not be left feeling silenced or alone in navigating such challenging experiences. I also have experience with issues around mental health, disabilities, and LGBTQ+ identities.
Philip Crang (he/him)
Department of Geography
I am an academic member of staff in the Department of Geography. I feel strongly that Royal Holloway should provide all staff with an inclusive, supportive and productive working environment. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect in their workplace, free from bullying and harassment. As a dignity listener, I offer a safe, non-judgemental, confidential space of dialogue for anyone feeling that this right is being denied them.
Simon Armitage (he/him)
Department of Geography
I am an academic member of staff in the Department of Geography. I feel that everyone at Royal Holloway should enjoy a supportive and welcoming environment. However, sometimes this won’t be the case, and colleagues may feel that they are being bullied, harassed, discriminated against or experiencing other forms of unacceptable behaviour. As a Dignity Listener, I am available to discuss colleagues’ concerns about anything which undermines their dignity at work. Please contact me for a friendly, non-judgemental and confidential discussion of whatever challenges you are experiencing.
Theoné Holmes (she/her)
School of Life Sciences and Environment
I am an Impact Officer in the School of LSE supporting the development and scaling of research impact. As a Dignity Listener, I would like to offer you a safe, welcoming space to share your experience of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, and help you explore the relevant University’s policies, procedures, and support mechanisms. Put simply, I am here for you.
Feel free to schedule a private, 1:1 meeting via my MS Outlook Booking Page.
