Employment policy on discrimination

CUT is committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment, where all members of staff are treated with dignity and respect. This institutional commitment applies across all employment practices- recruitment, evaluation, promotion, and day-to-day professional relations- and explicitly prohibits any form of discrimination based on gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, age, disability, or any other personal characteristic, including refugee status.

CUT’s framework to prevent and eliminate discrimination in the workplace is supported by several complementary policies and action plans promoting equal opportunity and inclusion.

Equal Opportunity Policy in Recruitment and Employment

CUT upholds a comprehensive Equal Opportunity Policy across all academic and administrative recruitment processes, ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and non-discrimination at every career stage. Every job vacancy announcement includes the following formal statement:

“The University adopts an equal-opportunity policy at recruitment and the subsequent career stages and encourages all genders to submit an application for all levels of academic and administrative staff.
The University does not discriminate in any way on the basis of gender, religion, or belief, ethnic, national or social origin, age, physical ability, marital status, or sexual orientation.”

Further information is available here and in the attached examples of job vacancy announcements for administrative and academic staff (faculty members and special teaching staff).

This Policy aligns with CUT’s broader institutional framework for equality and inclusion, ensuring that all employment practices remain merit-based and objective.
Recruitment decisions are grounded in professional competence, upholding equal opportunity, diversity, and integrity across all staffing procedures.

Equality Plan 2022- 2024

CUT’s Equality Plan 2022- 2024 serves as the University’s strategic framework for gender equality, diversity, inclusion, and equal treatment in employment and leadership.
It defines CUT’s institutional objectives to ensure equal opportunities and non-discrimination for all members of staff- academic and administrative- regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. The Plan includes measurable objectives and targeted actions to:

  • eliminate bias and structural barriers in recruitment and promotion,
  • ensure balanced gender representation in decision-making, and
  • integrate equality principles into human-resources management and institutional governance.

It also promotes diversity and a respectful institutional culture through training and awareness initiatives and continuous policy review.

Code of Practice for Preventing and Combating Harassment and Sexual Harassment

The Code of Practice to Prevent and Combat Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment establishes clear procedures for preventing, reporting, and addressing harassment and discriminatory behaviour in the workplace.

It applies to all members of the University community and focuses on awareness, accountability, protection, and cooperation to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all.
The Code is implemented in alignment with CUT’s Equality Plan, ensuring the systematic integration of anti-discrimination and gender equality measures across institutional policy and practice.

It defines prohibited behaviours in accordance with national and EU legislation, and guarantees confidentiality, fairness, and protection from retaliation for those reporting incidents.
The Code specifically protects against gender-based and sexual-orientation discrimination, reaffirming CUT’s commitment to a zero-tolerance approach to harassment and unequal treatment in employment.

Supporting Framework (complementary evidence)

Additional policies further strengthen CUT’s inclusive and non- discriminatory institutional culture:

  • The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy Statement, endorsed by the Rectorate and formally signed by the University’s leadership, including the Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, and Heads of Administrative Services, articulates CUT’s principles of fairness, respect, and equal treatment for all members of the University community. It highlights the University’s commitment to integrating equality, diversity, and inclusion into its daily operations, reinforcing CUT’s institutional commitment to equality and fostering a positive and respectful working environment.

Implementation and Accountability

The Diversity and Inclusion Office, in collaboration with the Human Resources Services and the Equality Committee, is responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and supporting the implementation of all equality and non- discrimination policies across the University.
The Diversity and Inclusion Office ensures alignment between institutional policy and practice, while the HR Services applies these principles in recruitment, promotion, and daily employment management. The Equality Committee provides oversight and policy advice, contributing to the continuous improvement of equality measures.

Regular training programmes, awareness campaigns, and confidential reporting mechanisms are available to promote a culture of inclusion and respect in the workplace.
Also, progress under the Equality Plan 2022- 2024 is evaluated annually and reported to the University Senate, ensuring institutional accountability and sustained progress.

Through these policies and governance mechanisms, CUT ensures that its employment practices actively prevent and address discrimination, while promoting equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion for all staff members.