For a workplace where everyone can work comfortably and be themselves
Harassment (or conduct that could be perceived as harassment) that occurs in a variety of situations is increasingly being highlighted as a major problem in modern society. In recent years, new forms of harassment have emerged because of changes in social conditions, leading to conduct that was not previously considered harassment now being recognized as harassment, such as the appearance of so-called “paternity harassment” as men’s participation in child-rearing progresses. Unfortunately, despite numerous efforts to prevent harassment, incidents of harassment in the workplace and in social life continue to occur. In addition, there are concerns that harassment may cause loss of motivation to work, financial loss, and loss of trust in the organization.
To prevent harassment in the workplace, we believe that first of all it is important for members to have correct knowledge about harassment and its prevention measures, and to appropriately apply this knowledge in research, education, and other workplaces. At the same time, it is also necessary to create an environment in which it is easy to speak out and to develop a system to provide relief to those who have been unfairly disadvantaged by harassment cases.
This web-site page summarizes NAOJ’s efforts to prevent harassment. Of course, we do not believe that the following efforts are enough. We intend to improve them in the future to make them even better in accordance with the situation.
December 25, 2023
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
Chair, Harassment Prevention Committee
Michitoshi YOSHIDA
NAOJ Harassment Prevention Measures
In order to ensure that those who feel harassed do not suffer alone, and that they do not unintentionally become perpetrators of harassment, it is important for each staff member to have knowledge about harassment and to properly understand how to deal with it.
NAOJ is currently implementing the following measures to prevent harassment.
(1) Establishment of Harassment Prevention Committee
(2) Establishment of Harassment Consultation Desk
(3) Distribution of harassment prevention leaflets
(4) Implementation of training
The idea is to promote efforts to prevent harassment by (1) establishing a Harassment Prevention Committee, (2) building a consultation system by setting up a Harassment Consultation Desk, (3) distributing harassment prevention leaflets, and (4) deepening understanding by conducting training sessions.
Let’s look at the contents of each of these.
(1) Establishment & Role of Harassment Prevention Committee
The Harassment Prevention Committee has been established at NAOJ. To create a harassment-free work environment, the committee plans training and educational activities related to harassment prevention, examines the system and methods to respond to complaints and consultations about harassment, and conducts investigations and provides remedies for harassment as well as makes recommendations to the Director General of NAOJ regarding the remedies.
When a complaint of harassment is received, the Harassment Subcommittee, established within the Harassment Prevention Committee, will promptly consider a response after confirming the wishes of the person registering the complaint.
(2) Establishment of Harassment Consultation Desk
Internal Contact
NAOJ has many offices, including overseas branches, and trained staff members at each office act as harassment counselors. The presence of close by counselors makes it possible to respond to harassment at an early stage. In addition to providing consultation, we also try to create a workplace atmosphere that is less prone to daily harassment.
External Contact
If you feel uncomfortable talking to others in the same workplace or would like professional advice, we have contracted outside counselors available to help you. The system allows you to contact the counselor directly and there is no charge for personal conseling. The use and content of the counseling will not be disclosed to your supervisor or the relevant department without your consent, so you can use the service with peace of mind.
(3) Distribution of Anti-harassment Leaflets
Leaflets containing information on types of harassment, contact information for harassment counselors, and the flow of harassment counseling are distributed once a year to NAOJ members (staff, graduate students, JSPS fellows, etc.) to raise awareness and inform them of NAOJ’s efforts. An English version is also available for non-Japanese members.
(4) Various Training Programs
“Communication training” in the form of group work is conducted for all employees with the aim of building communication that does not create harassment, and “harassment prevention training” is conducted for all employees with the aim of acquiring basic knowledge of harassment. In addition, “Academic Harassment Prevention Training” is also provided for faculty members. The Harassment Prevention Training and Academic Harassment Prevention Training are provided in an E-learning format to allow each individual to work flexibly and to enable employees (especially at overseas branches) who have difficulty attending face-to-face training and non-Japanese members (English support) to take the courses.
In addition, the National Institutes of Natural Sciences and the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan have established various rules to prevent harassment. These are also in line with the “measures to be taken” stipulated by the Law for Comprehensive Promotion of Labor Policy (commonly known as the Power Harassment Prevention Law).
There are various types of harassment such as power harassment, sexual harassment, academic harassment, and recently, remote-work harassment and smell harassment. Through the above efforts, we would like to raise the awareness level of everyone at NAOJ and realize a harassment-free workplace through continuous efforts.
Reference links (Japanese only)
- Types of harassment, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
- Definition of Power Harassment, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
To the graduate students studying at NAOJ and those who are thinking of studying at NAOJ
Many graduate students are studying at NAOJ, including students at the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), graduate students of affiliated graduate schools, and special joint-use researchers (so-called “contract graduate students”). Regardless of their classification, all graduate students are members of NAOJ, and all the various efforts to prevent harassment introduced on this web page are also intended to protect graduate students.
In addition, SOKENDAI also conducts its own Faculty Development (FD) training for faculty members, and harassment prevention training is a regular part of that program.
Harassment Prevention Committee (NAOJ Administrative department website)
The website for internal use provides details of the committee and information on consultation services.
Accessible only from NAOJ network.
