Complaints Office Against Discrimination, Bullying, and Stalking of the University of Potsdam

All university members have the opportunity to file a complaint with the university regarding  incidents of discrimination, bullying, and stalking. So far, only employed persons were able to file a complaint with the competent department if they felt disadvantaged in accordance with Section 13 of the General Equal Treatment Act. By adopting the Anti-Discrimination Guidelines in 2022, the University of Potsdam extended the right to complain to students and established its own Complaints Office consisting of five members. Students, employees, and other members of the university now have the opportunity to file a complaint due to discrimination, (cyber) bullying or (cyber) stalking. The complaints are handled by the university’s Complaints Office. The Complaints Office clarifies the facts and forwards them to the Executive Board, which then decides on appropriate measures and sanctions. The Complaints Office as well as the Executive Board deal with complaints confidentially and, where possible, anonymously. We would like to point out that the employer, the University of Potsdam, has a duty of care and that the facts of the case must be clarified as soon as the complaint is received. In the following, you will find detailed information on why and how you can file a complaint.

You can file a complaint in different ways. The members of the Complaints Office understand that this can be a difficult and emotional process, and they will support you. You can file a complaint using the form below. It is also possible to write directly to someone at the Complaints Office and convey the facts of the incident, or to work together to put the situation in writing during a personal meeting. If you are unsure whether you can file a complaint, you can always contact the advisory services of the University of Potsdam.

Policy of the University of Potsdam on Protection against Discrimination, (Cyber-)Bullying and (Cyber-)Stalking (Anti-Discrimination Guidelines), 453 KB

General Act on Equal Treatment