Equal Opportunities

    Our institute cares very much about having a stimulating and safe environment for its employees, not only regarding the academic career but in all other areas as well. The institutes of the Max Planck Society have a  Gender Equal Opportunities Officer and deputies. You can turn to the GEO's for advice and support concerning issues such as academic or career opportunities, work-life balance, and family issues, discrimination, etc.

    Tasks

    The Gender Equal Opportunities Officers' (GEO's) tasks include advice and support concerning issues that may cover (but are not limited to):

    • Professional development.
    • Discrimination and (sexual) harassment.
    • Work-life balance and family issues.
    • Parental leave. 
    • Academic/career opportunities.

    The GEO has the right to appeal to the MPI management, and will treat all cases in the strictest confidence. They will facilitate activities towards the professional development of women, and support the initiatives of the Central Equal Opportunities Officer of the Max Planck Society. 

    The Gender Equal Opportunities Officers are:

    Please email equality@mpi.nl for any issues or contact the Equality Officers directly. 

    Gender Equality Plan 2024-2026

    Our new plan focuses on the combined efforts for gender equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our action areas reflect a collaborative effort of information gathering form Human Resources as well as the results of our comprehensive 2023 employee survey. We have identified five areas for action:

    1. Embedding equal opportunities structurally: in particular, we will work on a way to include non-binary gender data in our HR system.
    2. Organising support channels: our support channels need to work together more efficiently. We also need to set up a complaints procedure that complies with Dutch law.
    3. Diversity and inclusion: we will work with the Diversity & Inclusion Committee to help make diversity more visible and accessible.
    4. Increasing the proportion of staff and students from under-represented groups, via funding from the MPG Diversity Excellence Fund.
    5. Work-life balance and mental health: we would like to expand our offerings and organise events here. 

    Read a summary of the plan here and the full plan here. 

    Cover of the Gender Equality Plan 2024-2026

    Cover of the Gender Equality Plan 2024-2026

    Online training video on recognising and addressing misconduct

    The Max Planck Society has provided an online training video on how to recognise and address misconduct. This training video:

    • Provides information on the content and consequences of the policy using practical examples and simulations. 
    • Supports the participants in identifying sexualised discrimination and harassment. 
    • Describes the possibilities and contact points which the Max Planck Society provides for protection against sexualised misconduct. 
    • Is aimed at everyone in the Max Planck Society. 
    • Takes about 25 minutes. 
    • Is available in German and English, and can also be attented with subtitles. 
    • Can be heard in summarised version as an audio message (for people with visual handicaps). 

    For more information on how and where to find the video, please click here. 

    How to deal with harassment and whom to contact

    We want our institute to be a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, free from discrimination and harassment. Still, there might be moments or cases where you feel you need to turn to a trusted person for support, advice, or just a listening ear. There are several people you can talk to confidentially, click here for an overview of possible Points of Contact. 

    Policy against sexualised discrimination, harassment, and violence

    The Max Planck Society has a policy on protection against sexualised discrimination, harassment, and violence. 

    Diversity checklist for training and events within the Max Planck Society

    This Diversity checklist is to assist employees in planning inclusive-oriented trainings and events. As an organisation, the MPG values the great diversity of its employees. Therefore, the MPG commits itself actively to promote an inclusive working environment that cherishes equal opportunities and participation of every individual. 

    Equal Opportunities Statement in Job Advertisements

    Equal Opportunities Statements in job advertisements convey that we care about the issue of equal opportunities. Find here our examples for default statements regarding Equal Opportunities Statement in Job Advertisements. 

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