The Institute of Development Studies (IDS) is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment where every member of our community feels welcome, respected and valued.
Our values are Respectfulness, Inclusivity, Excellence and Resourcefulness. Being respectful and inclusive are essential elements in how we work, as well as contributing to our global impact and outcomes as an Institute.
We believe that if we are to be successful, we need to ‘walk the talk’ when it comes to respect and inclusion. Every member of our community has a role to play in co-creating a working environment where dignity, fairness, and empathy are the norm. We expect all members of our community to uphold our values by treating each other with respect, taking accountability for our behaviour and impact on others, building positive relationships with anyone who is part of the IDS community, and creating a culture of mutual trust and support.
We collectively shape the culture at IDS. We all need to be accountable, self-aware of our behaviours and on our impact on others and committed to building and maintaining positive relationships with anyone who is part of the IDS community.
IDS adheres to its legal responsibilities under the UK Equality Act 2010. IDS does not tolerate discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimisation. If such behaviours occur, IDS is committed to ensuring all members of our community feel safe and supported to challenge, report, and resolve them.
Our approach is person-centred and restorative. Concerns around behaviours that fall short of our values will be taken seriously and, wherever possible, resolved through early and constructive dialogue. This may involve facilitated conversations, mediation, coaching, mentoring, team facilitation or team building, and, where needed, formal investigation.
Behaviours that contravene this Policy could be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, or termination of contract for partners and third parties.
Where IDS students are involved, procedures will usually be led by the University of Sussex, and addressed under the Student Discipline Regulations. Where a student’s behaviour is being investigated, the Student Discipline Procedures will be followed and, in very serious cases, this can result in suspension or expulsion from the university.
Scope
Our policy applies to all members of IDS’s community, including staff on all types of employment contracts, students, partners, trustees, consultants, and third parties that have a relationship with IDS.
IDS’s expectations around respect and inclusion apply both in our role as an employer, learning provider, and in our consultancy and partnerships. This is relevant in the IDS building, in online interactions, in social events, and in the settings we work in around the world.
Please find a link to our full Respect at IDS policy on our website at this link: ADD LINK HERE.