Confidential advisor staff

For students: see Student confidential advisor

Do you encounter problems at work or feel unsafe due to undesirable behaviour such as harassment, bullying or discrimination? Or do you have concerns about research integrity or conflicts in the workplace? Know that our confidential advisors are available to support you. 

You can contact a confidential advisor for a confidential conversation. The confidential advisor will listen to your story and explore possible solutions with you. You always stay in control of the process.

How can you contact a confidential advisor? 

Do not hesitate to get in touch. Confidential advisors are here to support you. The confidential advisor listens to you, thinks along with you, and helps you determine what your next steps could be. You can contact us in one of the following ways:  

  • Email: send an email to vertrouwenspersonen [at] ru.nl (vertrouwenspersonen[at]ru[dot]nl) in which you indicate that you want to request an appointment; you do not need to provide further details. Within two working days you will be contacted for a brief phone intake interview. Afterwards, one of the confidential advisors will plan an appointment with you. 
  • Phone: On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday between 8:30am - 3pm, you can call 06 43 58 38 73. Our management assistant will then conduct a brief intake interview with you. Afterwards, one of the confidential advisors will make an appointment with you.

When should you consult the confidential advisor?

There are different confidential advisors who deal with different issues. We distinguish between confidential advisors for undesirable behaviour (for employees, PhD students and students), confidential advisors for academic integrity, and confidential advisors for administrative integrity.

What does a confidential advisor do for you? 

A confidant offers you a safe place to share your experience. A confidant thinks with you and advises you in your search for a solution. Together you can explore what steps you feel comfortable with, such as: 

  • Well-prepared conversation with the person who is making you feel uncomfortable, possibly together with the confidential adviser. 
  • Finding a mediator. 
  • Filing a complaint with the independent Complaints Committee, with support of the confidential advisor during the process. 

Your story stays confidential, and you always stay in control of what happens in the process. You have all the time and space you need to think about what steps you want to take and when. So, you also have the freedom to decide that sharing your story is enough for now and you do not (yet) want to take further action.

Advisory and signalling role

In addition to a guiding role, the confidential advisor also has an advisory and signalling function. We regularly discuss trends and developments with management and HR, always focusing on the broader context without addressing individual cases. Furthermore, we give advice on policies related to social safety and undesirable behaviour. Do you have a question or want to discuss something? Feel free to reach out to us.

Who are the university's confidential advisors? 

The confidential advisors of Radboud University are independent of faculties or study programmes. They are certified members of the National Association of Confidential Advisors (Landelijke Vereniging van Vertrouwenspersonen). 

Overview confidential advisors Radboud University

Support in other difficult situations

You may also feel uncomfortable, frustrated or thwarted in your work due to other causes. This may be caused by factors such as overwork, conflicts regarding your tasks or relationships at work, stress, or personal circumstances that impact your job. Working conditions that impact your (mental) health can also be a contributing factor. In these situations, you can talk to HR, a company social worker, campus psychologist or coach.

Feedback, questions or suggestions

Carefulness and integrity are core values for our confidential advisors. When you seek advice from a confidential advisor, you will receive the best possible support. Where possible, efforts are made to de-escalate, promote collaboration and encourage open communication. The confidential advisor supports and advises you throughout this process, but does not take control, mediate, or act as an advocate. 

We welcome your tips, ideas, compliments, suggestions and feedback. If there is something you are less satisfied with, we would appreciate hearing about it so we can work together towards a solution. You can contact the Head of the Confidential Advisors Team, Caroline Bakkerus, at caroline.bakkerus [at] ru.nl (caroline[dot]bakkerus[at]ru[dot]nl).

Contact

Contact department