Sexual harassment, harassment or bullying in any form is totally unacceptable. The College will not tolerate any member of NCI, regardless of their position, being treated with anything less than professional courtesy and respect.  Neither will NCI tolerate any member of the College, regardless of their position, treating a colleague, student or anyone coming into contact with the College, with anything less than professional courtesy and respect.

If you have had a negative experience, and want to make a complaint, including formal and information complaints, or an anonymous report please find some supports and options that are available to you.

Dignity at Work

The aim of this Dignity at Work Policy is to indicate what constitutes harassment, sexual harassment and bullying and to clarify what action the College will take when responding to breaches of this policy.

This policy defines each of the terms “Harassment”, “Sexual Harassment” and “Bullying.” It provides general information and guidance to members of the College (defined as staff of NCI) and sets out the procedures for processing of complaints where unacceptable behaviour is alleged to have occurred. These complaints may include unacceptable behaviour between staff members, as well as complaints against staff members from students or other service users.

Student Policy on the Prevention of Bullying and Harassment

The aim of the Student Policy on the Prevention of Bullying and Harassment is to indicate what constitutes harassment, sexual harassment and bullying, and to clarify what action the College will take when responding to breaches of this policy.

This policy defines each of the terms harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying. It provides general information and guidance to students at the College and sets out the procedures for processing of complaints where unacceptable behaviour is alleged to have occurred. These complaints may include unacceptable behaviour of students in relation other students, staff members or visitors to the campus of NCI. Complaints in relation to staff members of NCI are handled under the Dignity at Work policy.

Designated Contact Persons (DCP) List

The Designated Contact Persons List may offer support to an employee/student who feels that they are being subjected to bullying/harassment or to an employee/student against whom a complaint of bullying/ harassment has been made. More details of these roles are outlined in the policies.

Speak Out

Speak Out is an online anonymous reporting tool to disclose incidents of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, coercive behaviour, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape.

Anonymous Reporting

Speak Out will help you to find relevant supports and highlight formal reporting procedures, should you wish to use them.

It is important to remember that as the tool is completely anonymous we have no way to identify or contact students or staff who make a report. Should you wish to report an incident formally please access the Student Policy on the Prevention of Bullying and Harassment for further information.

Zero Tolerance Culture

President of NCI, Professor Gina Quin, said: “National College of Ireland is committed to being an inclusive and supportive organisation, both for students and for staff. We need to know if, how and when people have negative experiences so that we can support all our students and staff and work to eliminate abuse and harassment.

“I am proud that NCI is now using the Speak Out tool to assist in creating a zero-tolerance culture. Higher Education Institutes play a leading role in forming society and we are proud to be promoting our values and taking actions to model best practice for both current and next generation employees and students."

Consent Framework

The Consent Framework was published in 2018 by the Department of Higher Education, it highlights the need for colleges to take on responsibility for creating safe college communities for all staff, students, and visitors. The aim of the Speak Out tool is to collect data to assist colleges in their implementation of educational and policy initiatives and to signpost you to the support services that can help you should you wish to seek help.

Supports