Social safety for everyone: the Concerns & Complaints Point
Maastricht University (UM) strives to create a safe and inclusive work and study environment. A place where everyone feels valued, welcome and safe. And a place where there is room for healthy feedback and critical discussions when necessary.
Maastricht University acknowledges that, despite the precautions taken by the university, you may still be faced with undesirable situations, such as inappropriate behaviour, integrity issues, or a workplace conflict. In such cases, you can turn to the Concerns & Complaints Point (CCP).
Read below how the CCP can support you in these kinds of situations.
About the Concerns & Complaints Point
UM does not tolerate any form of undesirable behaviour. We are all responsible for ensuring social safety. All students, employees and guests of UM are collectively accountable for a safe learning and working environment, one in which people treat each other with respect and everyone can develop their talents.
We promote social safety through the well-thought-out and solid design of our lines of support and assistance. In addition, it is crucial that we can talk to each other when we see that something is not going well. Social safety starts with paying attention to and respecting one another’s professional and personal boundaries when working and learning together.
The CCP consists of the coordinator of the CCP, the ombuds officer and the confidential advisers. They work impartially and independently, offer you a listening ear, a sparring partner, and together with you they search for a good path for your question. Together with you, the CCP will look for a way to move forward. If you contact the coordinator of the CCP, you will speak to Esther Goethart, who knows the formal and informal routes within UM, and who will help you find the best way to deal with your question, concern, report or complaint. Of course, you can also come to the CCP if you just want to get something off your chest. All conversations are confidential.
Annual report Social safety
In the annual report, the CCP reports on activities, reports, concerns and experiences. It also includes a number of recommendations for the university that can help to increase social safety in the workplace. Click here for the Social Safety annual report.
The Concerns & Complaints Point:
A central point for concerns, questions, reports and complaints that affect a socially safe working and learning environment.
I don't know where to turn to
One central point of contact: the coordinator Concerns & Complaints Point
Do you have a problem, questions or concerns, but don't know where to turn to? Contact Esther Goethart, the coordinator of the Concerns & Complaints Point (CCP), the central the point of contact. Esther can help you and refer you to the right person or agency, both inside and outside the organisation.
Esther listens to your question, concern, report or complaint about for example undesirable or alarming behaviour, an impending conflict or a suspected problem with integrity. She analyses and advises you in which way you can deal with your situation. She is familiar with all formal and informal routes inside and outside the organisation. Esther listens to you, conveys your options and connect to other lines of help if necessary.
Of course, you can also contact one of the confidential advisers or the ombuds officer directly.
esther.goethart@maastrichtuniversity.nl
+31 (0)6 28 84 99 65
Kapoenstraat 2, K 2.034
Work-related conflicts
At work, a conflict may arise that disrupts working relationships. Examples are a conflict between a manager and an employee, between two or more employees, or a cooperation problem between a supervisor and a PhD candidate. For example, think of a performance review you disagree with, a dispute about your contract, a manager who does not comply with the collective labour agreement, or other matters related to employment rights.
If you are experiencing a workplace conflict, first try to resolve it with the colleague or manager involved. Sometimes, it’s not possible to reach a solution together. In that case, you can contact Claire Essers, UM's ombuds officer.
Read more about what the ombuds officer does.
Claire Essers is currently unavailable. During her absence, she is being replaced by Birgit Peters.
Birgit can be reached at birgit@meestersinwerk.nl or on 06-41374982.
claire.essers@maastrichtuniversity.nl
+31 (0)6 40 77 63 09
Kapoenstraat 2, K 2.028
Undesirable behaviour and integrity issues
When you are dealing with undesirable behaviour or an integrity issue, you can contact UM's confidential advisers right away.
There are various forms of unsafe situations or undesirable behaviour that you as an employee might come into contact with. Think of sexual intimidation, aggression, violence, bullying and discrimination.
There are also various forms of integrity issues that you as an employee might come into contact with, such as fraud, theft, conflict of interest and bribery.
Of course, you can contact the confidential advisers with your questions and concerns in a broader sense, so do not hesitate.
UM's confidential advisers are:
Katinka Bastin
k.bastin@maastrichtuniversity.nl
+31(0)646705546
Kapoenstraat 2, K 2.032
Confidential adviser UM
Bob Joormann
b.joormann@maastrichtuniversity.nl
+31 (0)6 42 92 83 14
Kapoenstraat 2, K 2.032
Confidential adviser UM
Regina Nieboer
vertrouwenspersoon@reginanieboer.nl
+31 (0)6 23 70 70 26
External confidential adviser
You are in charge
It is important to know that you are in control. Nothing will be done until all possibilities for you have been made clear. And only if you give permission, will a counseling program or complaints procedure be started.
When in doubt, reach out
You might be wondering whether your situation is a good enough reason to seek help. Or perhaps you're not sure who to turn to. Maybe you think it's ‘something minor’, or you're unsure whether it’s a case of bullying or more of a workplace conflict. Whatever the situation, you can always contact the CCP. Together with Esther, you'll determine what kind of support best suits your needs. Whatever is going on, you're always welcome to get in touch:
- Even if it’s not about you.
- Even if you’re unsure what’s going on.
- Even if you don’t know who can help you.
- Even if you’re the one being accused.
Information for UM employees
Are you an UM employee and do you need help? Get in touch or go to the intranet for more information. There, you can read all about what you can do when you are facing undesirable behaviour, a work-related conflict or an integrity issue.
Whistle-blower policy
When an employee discloses suspicions of illegal or immoral practices within UM, we call this whistle blowing. It is important that everyone can safely report possible problems within the organisation. This is not only important for the employee concerned, but is also in the interest of the organisation. If the executive management knows in time about possible wrongdoing, measures can be taken as needed.
Do you want to report illegal or immoral practices within UM?
Please contact the CCP at 06-28849965 or send an e-mail to Esther Goethart. She will speak to you personally and will advise you on your report.
In the Sectoral Regulation on Reporting Suspected Malpractice Dutch Universities (Dutch Universities Whistleblower Policy 2025) you can read more about the procedure.
