Response to Harassment
“Harassment” refers to “hazing or bullying” in any situation. It can take various forms but is generally defined as any verbal or physical actions that makes someone feel uncomfortable, humiliated, powerless, or intimidated regardless of the intentions those conducting the actions.
In addition to sexual, academic, and power harassment, there currently are new category of harassment has been recognized: maternity and paternity harassment, which takes place in connection with pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare.
Examples of Maternity/Paternity Harassment
- Imposing a belief or moral that says mothers should stay at home and prioritize their family after pregnancy and childbirth.
- Faulting someone for taking leave, or working shorter hours due to pregnancy, childbirth, or childcare.
- Requiring long hours of work from employees who cannot work long hours due to reduced working hours or childcare, or disrespecting them regardless of their track record.
- Denying male employees childcare support or saying that taking childcare leave would undermine their careers.
NAOJ’s Harassment Prevention Committee has been working to establish a harassment-free workplace by creating and distributing harassment prevention leaflets to faculty, staff, and students. The committee also holds communication workshops several times a year.
You can seek the help of a counselor whenever you experience any kind of harassment including maternity/paternity harassment. Counseling services are open not only to NAOJ staff, but also to NINS staff, JSPS Research Fellows, and RCUH employees. The Harassment Prevention Committee offers the following two options for individual counseling.
(1) External Counseling Services
Counseling sessions are offered in Mitaka Campus once a month. (Session dates and procedures to request an appointment are typically announced around a week before through all-staff emails from the Employee Affairs Unit.) Online counseling is also available. Your privacy will be strictly safeguarded, so do not hesitate to ask for help. If you wish to consult with a counselor in English, you can do so via email through a translator who is obligated to keep the mater confidential. Contact information is provided in the emails or on the leaflets. The Graduate University for Advanced Studies holds other mental health counseling sessions.
(2) Counseling Staff for Harassment Prevention (available at every campus)
NAOJ staff who have undergone specialized training will serve as counselors and listen to your complaints at any time. The latest list of counseling staff is available at the Employee Affairs Unit website (only available on the NAOJ internal network).
The following flow diagram shows the steps after receiving a harassment complaint for both cases (1) and (2). Your feelings will be treated seriously, so do not hesitate to call for help. This diagram is from a leaflet distributed to NAOJ staff, students, and JSPS Postdoctoral Fellows.
