Work Environment
All students at Halmstad University have the right to a healthy study environment to be able to develop and succeed in their studies. On this page, you will find important information concerning work environment issues that you need to know about while you are a student with us.
Joint responsibility for the work environment
Students and staff have a joint responsibility to ensure that we have a healthy work environment at the University. You are expected to show respect for everyone at the University and, through your actions, contribute to maintaining an inclusive, fair, and equal study environment that is free from bullying and all forms of harassment.
The University's Policy for work environment and equal opportunities as well as our student policy "We make each other better" contain rules and expectations that you as a student need to be familiar with and follow.
The University's policy regarding work environment and equal terms & conditions
Halmstad University must be characterised by a work and study environment where:
- we work together toward an inclusive environment characterised by sensitivity, participation, openness, collaboration as well as respect for, and trust in, the individual.
- we support and encourage each other in strengthening our competencies, involving each other and collaborating towards common goals.
- zero tolerance applies to bullying, sexual harassment, victimisation and reprisals and we work with active measures to prevent discrimination.
- our physical work environment is safe and accessible and designed in a way that stimulates meetings, participation, and inspiration.
- the University has an active, well-functioning and communicated systematic work environment management that is a natural part of daily work and is integrated into all regular operational planning.
Influence your work environment
It is not only by taking responsibility and acting in accordance with the student policy that you contribute to a better work environment. You can also become involved as a student work environment representative in the forums that exist or contact your student work environment representative to raise issues related to your study/work environment. You can also present general views and opinions via course evaluations or equivalent.
The student work environment representatives are appointed by the Student Union and are the students' representatives concerning work environment issues. They capture the views and opinions from students and are also involved in planning and reviewing the work environment.
Contact the Student Union if you want to become involved in developing the work environment at the University.
The right to a good study environment
The right to a good study environment applies to both the physical and social work environment. The rules in the Work Environment Act and the regulations regarding systematic work environment work in many areas also apply to universities. (Read more in The Work Environment Act, Chapter 1, Section 3.)
Injuries and risks
It is important that you, as a student, report any injuries and potential risks you experience in the work environment so that the University can implement preventive measures. This also includes travel accidents that occur to or from the University or an internship.
Alcohol, tobacco and drugs
There are regulations concerning alcohol, tobacco and drugs on campus. For example, all kinds of narcotics are prohibited.
Safety
For your own safety and the safety of others, it is important that you know what applies in the event of fire and evacuation, and where our defibrillators are located.
If you are feeling unwell or are discriminated against
If you are feeling unwell or if you feel you are a victim of discrimination, harassment or bullying, you should talk to someone, such as your teacher, programme director, the Student Healthcare Centre, your student work environment representative or your ombud for students and PhD students.
Whom you choose to contact does not matter, the important thing is that you contact someone so that they, if necessary, can refer you to someone else concerning your concerns.
Student work environment representative (Halmstad Student Union)
External link.
Ombud for students and PhD students
Harassment, victimisation and bullying
If you require support
Your study situation and how well you succeed in your studies is an important part of your social work environment. The Language Advisers can help with your academic writing an reading and on the student web you can get advice and tips regarding study techniques and other aspects connected to your study situation.
Learning support is available for those who need adaptations due to disability.
Disability and learning support
The University's work environment work
The University looks at, analyses, rectifies, and continuously monitors issues linked to the work environment and, thus, creates conditions and possibilities for a good study environment, free from ill health and accidents.
The work environment contains two parts: the physical and the organisational & social work environment. The physical work environment includes, among other things, the design of the premises, air and light quality, furniture, and technology. The organisational and social work environment includes, among other things, workload, cooperation, and personal treatment.
The work environment at the University is checked in different ways every year, for example through the yearly check of premises as well as questionnaires and conversations with students and doctoral students.
The Student Health Centre and the Student Union play important roles in the University's work environment work.
The Student Union External link.
The Central Work Environment Committee
The Vice-Chancellor of the University has the main responsibility for ensuring that the work environment and fire protection measures live up to the legal requirements. The University has an organisation for the operational work environment work, and students are represented in the committees, via student work environment representatives and doctoral student representatives. These are appointed by the student union.
The organisation consists of the following three working groups that concern students:
The Central Work Environment Committee
The University's Central Work Environment Committee (CAMK) works with university-wide issues linked to students’ and employees’ study/work environment, including equal opportunities. The committee participates in the planning of the work environment work, follows up the systematic work undertaken regarding the work environment and equal opportunities, and ensures development in matters relating to protection against ill health and accidents.
Local Work Environment Committee
On a School level the Local Work Environment Committee has the corresponding commission to the above. The local committee can bring more general issues to the Central Work Environment Committee and must also report to the Central Work Environment Committee on a yearly basis.
Student Advisory committee
The Student Advisory Committee is a subcommittee of the Central Work Environment Committee that focuses on students’ and doctoral students’ study environment and health. Challenges and improvements linked to students’ study environment are discussed here. The committee also works practically with the development and implementation of policies, routines, and information concerning the students’ work environment.
The committee consists of:
- Student Work Environment Representative
- Student and Doctoral Student Representative
- Doctoral Student Representative
- Teacher Representative appointed by the unions
- representative from Student Affairs
- HR representatives
- Coordinator for Equal Opportunities
- Security Coordinator
