Your Study Environment

For the University of Gävle, it is important that you have a positive working environment during your studies. Here you can read more about the University's work environment and goals and how you can participate and influence.

Work Environment Management at the University of Gävle

The University of Gävle endeavours to be an inclusive university where everyone should feel welcome and safe. Together with Gefle Student Union, the university therefore actively strives to create a safe and secure work environment and equal conditions for both students and staff.

As part of the systematic work environment management, there is a work environment group for students to which you as a student can turn with questions or comments regarding your work environment at the University of Gävle. The main student work environment representative is Karin Eriksson.

What is a good Working Environment?

The University's definition of a good work environment is based on the Work Environment Act (1977:1160). The Work Environment Act also covers students and gives students the same right as employees to a good physical and psychosocial work environment. The work environment at the University is to be characterised by the pillars of the government's core values, where concepts such as democracy and respect are particularly important.

The University has a good working environment when employees and students find their work and studies meaningful, varied, stimulating and motivating in a functional and safe environment. This leads to well-being, promotes both health and the quality of the organisation, and is in line with the University's Mission Statement that we work together to create a sustainable world and have the opportunity to make a difference.

A good working environment is achieved by, among other things

• the systematic work environment management is an integral part of the daily activities
• the work environment is safe and suitable for students and staff
• the equal value of all people is respected
• everyone is given the opportunity to participate in the University's activities on equal terms regardless of gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or religion
• responsibilities and competences in work environment issues are clear and known within the University
  
• improvement of any shortcomings in the working environment is addressed with high priority
  
• measures taken to improve the working environment are followed up and evaluated.
  

Work Environment Responsibility during Education and Internship

The University of Gävle is responsible for students' work environment in all parts of an education programme, but in some parts, such as internship, work placement or similar, the responsibility is shared with the internship provider or company where teaching takes place.

It is the traineeship organisation that has the main responsibility for the work environment during the traineeship. The receiving organisation has what is known as a responsibility of ownership (AML Chapter 3 Section 12). The University is responsible for ensuring that the chosen work placement does not pose a risk of the student suffering ill health or accidents at work. The University must obtain sufficient information from the work placement site to be able to make a risk assessment.

In the Work Environment Act, those undergoing training are equated with employees. The Vice-Chancellor of the University has responsibility for health and safety at work for all activities within the institution. The Vice-Chancellor allocates some tasks in this area to Heads of Faculty, who in turn allocate them to Heads of Department. In the case of student health and safety, it is usually the Heads of Department who have been assigned responsibility.

For more information on the allocation of tasks within the systematic work environment management, see the document Organisation and rules for the systematic work environment management Pdf, 549.3 kB. (in Swedish).

Student and Doctoral Student Ombudsman

The Student and Doctoral Student Ombudsman is available to all first-cycle, second-cycle and doctoral students. The Ombudsman has an advisory role when students at the University of Gävle want support in expressing views or complaints regarding study-related issues.

The main tasks of the Ombudsman:

• To guide, assist and support students and doctoral students in student law matters
• Participate in meetings between students, doctoral students and staff at the University and may also participate in investigations
• Provide support to students who are brought before the Disciplinary Board at the University of Gävle.

University staff can also contact the Ombudsman to advise on complaints issues, and ask the Ombudsman to attend meetings with students where this is deemed appropriate and if the student wishes.

The Ombudsman can

• be a neutral, independent body between you as a student and the University
• inform you about your rights and obligations as a student
• provide information and guidance on procedures and processes for complaints and appeals

The Ombudsman cannot take sides or decide on cases.