Draft policy hypothetical scenarios

These hypothetical scenarios have been developed to aid understanding of the draft policy.

A student discovers an academic staff member is posting derogatory comments about certain ethnic groups on their personal social media account. The staff member also makes regular posts about their research and teaching duties at the University on this social media account and has a high public profile.

Why this could potentially breach the draft policy

Staff members have the right to express personal views on personal social media accounts in the normal course of events. However, in this instance the posts are public, and are connected to the staff member’s employment at the University because they have previously used social media to communicate University activities and they have a high public profile as a University academic. In this instance the University could consider whether the staff member has also breached the Addressing Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Procedures.

The University makes an official statement reaffirming a commitment to environmental sustainability and taking action to limit climate change. During a meeting, a staff member criticises the University for making the statement and denounces the University’s stated commitment as “tokenism” and insincere.

Why this is not a breach of the draft policy

This staff member has a protected right to freedom of expression so long as this expression does not break the law, prevent the University from fulfilling its duties, or cause serious damage to the University.  

Two academic staff members publish an open letter in a newspaper criticising the University’s proposal to merge two administrative units. One is a scholar in organisational leadership, and one is a scholar in biochemistry. The organisational leadership scholar then goes on to publish a journal article using the example of the University and criticises the decision during a conference presentation.

Why this is not a breach of the draft policy

Both staff members are exercising their right to freedom of expression and this expression did not break the law, prevent the University from fulfilling its duties, or cause serious damage to the University. Both academics must make it clear they are speaking in a personal capacity and not representing the University in their open letter. The scholar of organisational leadership is also protected by academic freedom when criticising the University in research and at conferences because university administration falls under their field of study.