'Taking it out on colleagues is simply unacceptable'

Imagine you're a cleaner and you're cleaning up graffiti from the walls of a restroom. Suddenly, someone tells you: “So you agree with genocide.” Or picture you're a receptionist and the front door of the building is temporarily closed because of a protest. Then someone tells you they will charge you with deprivation of liberty. Or that you are a security guard and you're pushed around a demonstration, while protesters are ready to film your reaction.

I was quite shocked when I heard that people working at our university have been faced with such incidents. "That can't be true", was my first thought. The situation in Gaza and Israel leaves no one untouched, including me. I also understand that many students and employees are looking for ways to do something about all the suffering taking place there. However, it is completely inappropriate to take it out on colleagues or employees in this way. People working at receptions, service points and facility services are being confronted with unpleasant situations on a daily basis. People laugh at them when they are just trying to do their jobs, they are called names, they are spoken to in a threatening manner, and sometimes they are photographed, filmed and even followed. Such experiences make them feel intimidated or even threatened. They say their UU shirt feels uncomfortable as it makes them recognisable and therefore vulnerable.

Feeling safe
Facility staff wish us a "good day" when we enter a building; they replace a light bulb when necessary, and rush to help when there is an emergency response call. These great colleagues – who ensure we can all work and study safely – no longer feel safe at our university because of such behaviours. And I have no other words for it than to say I find it unacceptable. I was shocked by the conversation I had with a group of facility workers last week.

The most striking thing is that the inappropriate comments and expressions do not only come from protesting students and employees. Facility employees must also deal with internal frustrations about the protest or the measures taken by the Executive Board to prevent occupations. Understandably, people get annoyed when a building is closed early and they can no longer work in the office, but facility employees are "just" the messengers. “Some employees scold you when you bring the message and then ask you for help the next day to replace a light bulb,” one of the colleagues illustrated.

What did you just say?
I hope that we are all shocked by this behaviour and no one thinks it is just part of it all. After all, this is not part of it at all. I do not tolerate people making a point at someone else's expense and I hope we stand together for these colleagues, just as they stand for us every day. So, say something if you see something like this happening. Be an active bystander! I know that we are not always as quick-witted as we would like to be when things get tense. What can you do if you see something happening and you don't think it's respectful or acceptable? Someone recently told me that you can always say: "What did you just say?"

I know I can't convince everyone to behave differently with a blog post. But I also hope to address everyone who does not know this is happening. We, the majority, can make a difference and state that we find this simply unacceptable. If we accept this behaviour, we all lose. It is not just about these colleagues feeling safe (again), but that we all safeguard a culture in which we can all feel safe.

That requires having empathy for one another at difficult times, also when you are hurt and offended. It means that we must avoid venting our anger and frustration, especially on colleagues who are just doing their jobs. Kindness, helpfulness, patience and understanding are part of a respectful UU community – and that is what we are together: a community.