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Have you witnessed undesirable behaviour?

React!

Are you not sure if you are facing undesirable behaviour? Check here.

Have you witnessed undesirable behaviours?
React!

Resources necessary to oppose undesirable behaviours are within our reach.

 

FEEDBACK

Feedback, i.e., informing the other person of how you perceive their behaviour, action or approach, is fundamental to responding to undesirable behaviours.

Well-formed feedback is a form of expressing one’s feelings, desires, and beliefs that do not hurt the other person and allows them to maintain a positive attitude towards themselves.

I-STATEMENTS AND “FFRE” SCHEME

A handy tool in constructing feedback is the so-called I-statement.

I-statement refers to how we feel about the other person’s behaviour or the situation that has taken place, and what we expect in this respect. Unlike you-statements, I-statements focus not on judging the other person but on the emotions within us.

Examples of I-STATEMENTS

I’m angry when you tell sexist jokes because they are really unfair to women/men. I wish you wouldn’t do it in front of me, or preferably stop telling them at all.

How is effective feedback based on I-statements formed?
Below you can find the so-called “FFRE” scheme, which stands for facts, feelings, results and expectations, and shows how to construct such a message in four steps:

FACTS

Name the situation: say what particular behaviour is undesirable. The more specific your statement is and the sooner after the event it is made, the better.

FEELINGS

Name your feelings: say how this undesirable situation/behaviour affects you, how you feel about it, and what emotions it has aroused in you. If you experience several emotions, it is up to you to choose which of them you will talk about.

RESULTS

Indicate the results of undesirable behaviour.

EXPECTATIONS

Say what change in the person’s behaviour you expect and what you need, and clarify your objections.

Example:

The lecturer uses sexist language in the consecutive class in a row.
What can you do in this situation?

React, using I-statement:
“I am outraged when you make sexist comments towards women because it upsets me and prevents me from studying; I wish you wouldn’t do that in class anymore.”

Another example of this intervention could be a firm but non-aggressive statement, e.g.:

  • The word you have used is offensive.
  • It is a hateful term.
  • It is not funny.
  • Stop it.
  • I refuse to be treated in this way.
  • I do not want to hear such comments.
  • I am not okay with that.
  • I refuse to hear words of this kind.

Moreover, an effective response is to inform the relevant institutions at the UW about the incident. This can be done by the affected person themselves as well as by witnesses to undesirable behaviours.

Report the case to one of the UW authorities that are responsible for preventing undesirable behaviours at the University

The Academic Ombudsman >> ombudsman.uw.edu.pl

The Team of Coordinators for counteracting unequal treatment, discrimination, mobbing and other undesirable behaviour >> zespolkoordynatorow@uw.edu.pl

The Equality Team at the University of Warsaw >> rownouprawnienie@uw.edu.pl

 

BENEFITS OF REACTING TO UNDESIRABLE BEHAVIOUR 

  • When I experience unequal treatment and stand up against it, I boost others- including those discriminated against.
  • I react because the principle of social justice is significant to me.
  • When I react, I feel that what I do is consistent with my moral compass.
  • I react because witnessing discrimination causes tension and stress, and I feel relieved by doing something to prevent inequities.
  • I react because I gain respect: from others and for myself.
  • I react because it makes my sense of influence grow, and I develop my reacting skills.
  • I react because I overcome my resistance and surprise myself positively.
  • I react because I feel solidarity with people in a weaker position to me.
  • I react because it makes my self-esteem and self-satisfaction grow. I get personal satisfaction!