This guide is designed to provide new staff who, as part of their job are required to work with students, with advice on appropriate behaviours and boundaries to observe when working with students, and on what action to take if unwanted attention is received.

1.	Remember at all times that you are a member of staff and not a friend. Although your relationship with your students may become relaxed and informal, it is imperative that you do not become too familiar with them.
2.	Socialising with students on Departmental occasions is perfectly acceptable whilst socialising individually or at events unrelated to their studies should not normally be encouraged. Private relationships should be avoided.
3.	Students may come to you with their personal problems. If you are a Lecturer, you are expected to support students through any difficulties they are experiencing, but remember to keep a professional distance. Don’t start fighting their battles for them and do refer them to appropriate people as necessary, e.g. Counselling, the Head of Department, etc.
4.	Ensure that you treat all students fairly and equally. You are bound to develop a better rapport with some students than others, but always make sure that you give similar attention to all students.
5.	International students may have different ideas or perceptions about appropriate boundaries or behaviours. It is important to be aware of cultural differences and to treat any issues sensitively.
6.	The law states that an adult in a position of responsibility (such as Lecturer) having a relationship with a child who is over the age of 16 but under the age of 18 and who is in full time education constitutes a breach of trust and could result in criminal prosecution.

What Lecturers should do if they receive unwanted attention

Sometimes, students want to develop their relationship with their Lecturer and this is not reciprocated. Examples include wanting to spend a lot of time with their Lecturer, wanting to know personal information about their Lecturer, inviting their Lecturer to go out with them or declaring their feelings to their Lecturer. Whilst this behaviour is rare, it is important that you are aware that it could happen and that you understand how you should deal with it. 

Below is some guidance if you should find yourself in that situation:

1.	Document what is happening and your response to it.
2.	Make it clear to the student that this attention is unwanted and you want it to stop. This might be quite difficult, as you don’t want to offend or embarrass the student as you will still have to teach them, so try to be as sensitive as you can.
3.	If the student continues to harass you, become more firm with your rebuffs and tell them that their behaviour is unacceptable. Remember to document everything, and retain email messages, etc.
4.	Try to avoid being alone with the student, and if you do have to be alone with them, keep your office door open.
5.	Talk to a member of the Confide Panel who may be able to advise you.
6.	Talk to your Head of Department or other senior colleague so that they are aware of the problem. They may be able to give you support and advice on dealing with the problem and may also be able to speak to the student to advise them that they must change their behaviour.
7.	If the problem persists, you can make a formal complaint of harassment to the Chief Operating Officer. This will be investigated in line with the Harassment Policy Complaints Process.

 

Author: Human Resources (AEPL) Last modified: January 2009