{"id":3768,"date":"2025-05-07T08:44:03","date_gmt":"2025-05-07T07:44:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/?p=3768"},"modified":"2025-06-03T08:27:09","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T07:27:09","slug":"working-together-towards-a-caring-work-environment-bystander-training-at-uantwerp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/pintra-en\/working-together-towards-a-caring-work-environment-bystander-training-at-uantwerp\/","title":{"rendered":"Working together to create a supportive work environment: Bystander Training at UAntwerp"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How can you intervene as a witness to inappropriate behaviour without putting yourself in a difficult position? That question lies at the heart of a new bystander training course now available at UAntwerp. This initiative has come about for a reason. Lien Smets, training officer from HR (DP&O), explains why the training is particularly important right now.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why was this training introduced?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Not only recent events, but also research continues to show that inappropriate behaviour is widespread and can have a huge impact<\/strong> \u2013 not just on the victim, but also on the atmosphere in the workplace,\u2019 Smets explains. \u2018In hierarchical institutions like universities, the risks are even greater. Data from our own 2018 well-being survey confirmed we had to take action.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bystander training is part of a broader initiative<\/strong>. Several departments \u2013 the Diversity & Inclusion Team, Human Resources, the Health and Safety Department and the Antwerp Doctoral School \u2013 have all joined forces. Their goal? To create a safer work environment by giving staff the tools to recognise inappropriate behaviour and respond to it appropriately.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lien Smets explains the response strategies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Kristine (ADS) and Lien in action.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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What do you learn in the training?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The focus is on prevention<\/strong>. \u2018We want to prevent inappropriate behaviour from becoming normalised or escalating. Such behaviour is even more painful and impactful when bystanders don\u2019t respond. And this creates a false sense of consensus,\u2019 says Smets. \u2018With this training, we aim to make staff aware of their role as bystanders and equip them with practical tools to take action.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smets adds: \u2018Inappropriate behaviour isn\u2019t always something spectacular. It\u2019s often about micro-aggressions or exclusion<\/strong>, for example someone consistently left out of lunch invitations or repeatedly ignored during meetings. One mosquito bite isn\u2019t bad, but a swarm is unbearable.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Group discussions during the training<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Different point of views during the training<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A practical, hands-on approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The training session is interactive<\/strong> and built around real-life cases involving inappropriate behaviour among staff members. Various situations are discussed in small groups, with room to exchange perspectives. The training session also deals with the barriers that prevent people from stepping in, like fear of standing out, shyness, group pressure or hierarchical dynamics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lien Smets goes on: \u2018We work with the four D\u2019s<\/strong>: Distract, Delay, Delegate and Direct<\/strong>. Not everyone feels comfortable intervening in the moment. And that\u2019s okay. Even offering support afterwards or involving someone else can make a real difference.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four D\u2019s:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n