Addressing inappropriate behaviour 

Addressing inappropriate behaviour 

As members of a study or work community, we all share the responsibility for its well-being and functionality. This means we are obligated to take action if we witness inappropriate behaviour in our community. The Finnish Centre for Occupational Safety defines inappropriate behaviour as conduct that violates the law, generally accepted practices or one’s professional duties. Such behaviour is often systematic and prolonged, but can also consist of isolated incidents. Inappropriate behaviour may include abuse of power, sexual or gender-based harassment, exclusion from the work community, discrimination or defamation. It can manifest both physically and mentally, and may take place through communication – or the lack of it. While we all hope never to encounter inappropriate behaviour, we can promote this by treating others with respect and listening to one another. Nevertheless, we must be prepared to address such behaviour when it occurs. This article offers practical guidance on how to do so.  

What should I do if I witness inappropriate behaviour? 

• Act promptly. Speak directly to the person whose behaviour you consider inappropriate and ask them to stop. If you are not the target of the behaviour, ask the person affected how they would like the matter to be addressed.  

• Point out what is inappropriate. Clearly state which aspect of the person’s behaviour is inappropriate. The person may not realise that they are acting inappropriately. In the best case, this awareness alone may be enough to stop the behaviour. If the situation feels threatening, leave or ask someone else for support. In emergencies, call the emergency number 112. 

• Document the incident. Make a note of what happened, when, and who was present. Written documentation supports the resolution process by providing a clear record of the events, and what was experienced as inappropriate. Save any related emails or messages as evidence.  

• Take the issue further. If inappropriate behaviour continues despite your initial conversation, it is important to take the matter further. Doing so may feel challenging, but promoting a culture of respectful conduct is both courageous and very important. There is also help available. For example, you can find Uniarts Helsinki’s contact persons for these situations here. You can report the issue even if you did not feel able to confront the person directly about their inappropriate behaviour. However, it is important to act as soon as possible to ensure the matter is addressed and does not escalate or fade into obscurity. 

• Don’t carry it alone. You should never be left to deal with the aftermath of inappropriate behaviour on your own, nor blame yourself for what happened. There are people in your study or work community who can support you in processing and taking the issue further. If the inappropriate behaviour constitutes a crime, report the incident to the police. The responsibility for handling and resolving these matters lies with the employer, once they are informed. Trade unions and occupational health and safety authorities can also provide support if the employer fails to act.  

• If you have behaved inappropriately, apologise and accept that your behaviour was not acceptable, even if that was not your intention. Learn from the experience and participate in any follow-up processes. 

Sources:

Työturvallisuuskeskus. Häirintä ja epäasiallinen kohtelu – Työturvallisuuskeskus (in Finnish) 

Taideyliopisto (2023/updated 2024). Guide­lines in cases of con­flicts and in­ap­pro­pri­ate treat­ment, https://student.uniarts.fi/guides/guidelines-in-cases-of-conflicts-and-inappropriate-treatment/

Näyttelijäliitto. Häirintä – Näyttelijäliitto – Skådespelarförbundet ry (in Finnish) 

Muusikkojenliitto. Yhdenvertaisuus – Muusikkojen liitto (in Finnish) 

Esiinnyn edukseni. Creating a music industry that’s safe for all. Esiinnyn edukseni – Kaikille turvallinen musiikkiala