Latest news from the Work Environment Committee at SUND

The Faculty Work Environment Committee at SDU is responsible for ensuring a healthy and safe work environment for employees. Below is a brief overview of the key points from the meeting on 16 December 2024.

Discussions

• Workplace assessment (APV) 2024. The results of the physical and psychological workplace assessment were discussed at the meeting. Several departments reported challenges related to stress, discrimination, and lack of support from management. In particular, the Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics is experiencing high workloads, while the National Institute of Public Health reported several cases of offensive behaviour. It was agreed that a clearer strategy is needed for following up on the workplace assessment results, as well as improvements to the design of the workplace assessment questionnaire.

• Employee affiliation with SDU. Staff at the Department of Regional Health Research (IRS) feel less connected to SDU, as they often work at different physical locations. Increased communication and the use of the term "University Hospital of Southern Denmark" were suggested to strengthen the sense of belonging among employees.

• Casual racism and discrimination. Several departments, including the Department of Psychology and the Department of Public Health, reported incidents of casual racism and discrimination. It was emphasised that this is unacceptable and that further efforts are needed to promote an inclusive culture at the faculty.

Updates

• Physical working conditions and safety. It was reported that the Biomedical Laboratory has experienced workplace injuries, including a finger injury that resulted in a fine of DKK 60,000. Additionally, issues with dishwashing detergents have caused allergic reactions among staff.

• Follow-up on the workplace assessment questionnaire. Several members pointed out that the wording of the questionnaire has made it difficult for employees to provide clear answers, particularly regarding questions about management. It was suggested that SDU establish an expert group to improve future workplace assessments.

Next steps

It was agreed to follow up on the design of the workplace assessment questionnaire to ensure better data in the future. Additionally, efforts will continue to strengthen employee affiliation with SDU for those working off-campus.

Want to know more? Read the full minutes from the FAMU meeting on 16 December 2024 here.