Discrimination
ETH Zurich does not tolerate any discrimination against its members. Everyone in the ETH community has the right to be treated fairly and equally, irrespective of their individual characteristics or those attributed to a particular group to which they belong.
Contact for individuals affected and individuals seeking advice
Please report any discrimination you experience. We are here to provide advice on questions such as: What should I do next? Where can I get support? What is a possible course of action? What should I consider?
The Respect Office treats all matters confidentially. You will remain anonymous to any individuals involved or accused. Even if you are the subject of an accusation, you can access the counselling services.
Do you feel discriminated against or treated differently compared to your colleagues? You have the right to defend yourself. Here are some actions you can take:
- Respond promptly and firmly.
Do not simply accept the discriminatory circumstances. You are always within your rights to defend yourself against unfair treatment. - Document the incidents.
Record what happened, when it occurred, who was present, and the surrounding circumstances. - Seek support.
Talk to a colleague or superior about your experience. Alternatively, contact one of our official contact and advice services.
The university – including all superiors and tutors – has a duty to ensure a safe working and learning environment, based on trust and mutual respect. Here are some actions you can take to ensure a safe working and learning environment:
- Set an example.
Treat all your employees and students equally and fairly, without favouritism. - Make it clear that you do not tolerate discrimination.
Highlight the importance of creating a safe working environment in team or department meetings, and ensure that your courses are conducted in an open and respectful atmosphere. - Do not look the other way!
Support your employees. If you have any suspicions, have a personal conversation with the affected individuals.
ETH Zurich is committed to a culture of looking out for each other. All members are encouraged to actively oppose discriminatory behaviour. Here are some actions you can take if you observe discriminatory behaviour:
- Ask questions and offer support.
Seek out the individual concerned and address the issue explicitly. Ask whether they feel discriminated against. If so, encourage them to contact one of the official contact and advice services.
You can also seek advice from one of the services yourself. All conversations are completely confidential. - Voice your concerns.
Highlight the importance of creating a safe working environment in team or department meetings, or address a discriminatory atmosphere in a course.
Would you like to clarify the situation with the parties involved? Get in touch!
The Clarification Office is an internal ETH service that systematically clarifies your situation using a suitable approach. The office coordinates and facilitates the chosen approach, which can range from moderation or mediation to coaching or measures to clarify the situation within the team.
Prerequisites
- At least one of the parties involved is an employee of ETH Zurich.
- You are willing to collaborate constructively in the systematic proceedings.
Formal report / external enquiry
As an employee of ETH Zurich, you can report incidents of sexual harassment to the External Reporting Office. The External Reporting Office will gather the facts in a formalised manner and with all parties involved. Depending on the office's assessment, they will consult lawyers or commission legal opinions. A recommendation is then made to the superior or the responsible service.
Prerequisites
- You are an employee of ETH Zurich.
- You are willing to collaborate constructively in the systematic proceedings.
Deadline
The report should be made as soon as possible – usually within six months of the incident.
ETH Zurich defines discrimination as degrading someone based on their social or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, beliefs, sexual identity, disability or gender.
Discrimination violates the dignity of the individual affected. Human beings are not labelled and treated as individuals but only as members of groups or in connection with a particular personality trait. Discrimination can be conscious or unconscious.
- Verbal or written statements or actions of a degrading nature
such as telling racist jokes, ridiculing homosexual members of ETH, sexist portrayal of persons in presentations or video material, etc. - Unequal treatment
such as differentiation because of pregnancy or physical impairments; assignment of tasks or assessment of test results based on stereotypes (such as “Women are better listeners”, “Men have better technical skills”), etc. - Unfair working conditions
such as unjustified refusal to grant equal wages or promotions, restrictions on the level of employment or on working-time arrangements, etc.
The ban on discrimination is enshrined in the external page Swiss Federal Constitution (article 8, section 2). Instances of discrimination at ETH result in disciplinary measures or formal action being taken under employment regulations.
Have you experienced or witnessed inappropriate behaviour at the university but are unwilling to give your name? You can make an anonymous report to ETH Zurich.
Please note: an anonymous report does not automatically trigger a formal process. It is a means of ensuring the continuous development of ETH Zurich.