SAFE Labs

Starting Aware Fair & Equitable Labs

I commit to internally document the procedure for raising lab or inter-personal issues

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This page collects real-world examples from labs around the world. We encourage all labs implementing the SAFE Labs Handbook to share their own commitments/statements here.

Germany

OttLab_2025: Lab members are encouraged to report any bullying, harassment or discriminatory behavior without fear of retaliation to the PI, to confidential parties for conflict mediation and consultation, or contact the ‘Personalrat’ (employee representatives). For academic misconduct allegations, report to your PI or contact HU’s Ombudspersonen.

Steps for raising lab or inter-personal issues

  1. If comfortable doing so, request a meeting to raise the issue with the PI. The PI commits to treat such meetings confidential and without personal consequences for the person raising any issue.
  2. If this is not possible, please raise the issue by consulting HGS Conflict Consultation here.
  3. If none of the above steps fare appropriate, raise the issue with the ‘Personalrat’ (employee representatives).
Italy

ReinhardLab_2025: It is important to raise and solve inter-personal issues within the lab early. We all spend many hours of our days working together and a safe and open environment is crucial to being able to perform well and happily. If possible, issues should be raised to the PI during 1o1 meetings or during a separately scheduled meeting. The PI will advise on possible solutions and actions, invite the other parties to voice their point of view, and organize group discussions if adequate. If you don’t feel comfortable raising the issue with the PI, contact the ombuds person or raise the issue with HR.

United Kingdom

CoenLab_2025: No lab is perfect, and individuals may have concerns about lab operations or another member’s behaviour. Issues can arise for many reasons, and addressing them promptly almost always leads to better outcomes for everyone involved. The procedure for raising these issues is:

  1. If comfortable doing so, raise the issue with Pip at the earliest opportunity.
  2. Alternatively, please raise the issue anonymously by using this form (anonymous comment form).    
  3. If external involvement would be beneficial, contact your mentor (if a post doc) or your secondary advisor (if a PhD student).
  4. If none of the above steps feel appropriate, raise the issue with UCL Report & Support.
United States

AeryJonesLab_2026: You are welcome to use this anonymous form (link omitted for Github example) to share anything that concerns you. This form will go to me, but I won’t know who submitted it unless you choose to identify yourself. Please share as much detail as you feel comfortable. As a professor, I am a Title IX mandatory reporter and must report any allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex to the Title IX office. You are always welcome to come to me to share your concerns, but by law I cannot keep this particular type of information confidential. If you aren’t comfortable talking to me, you can reach out to the university ombudsperson or the department chair.