Dealing with difficult issues

Occasionally difficulties may be raised by the mentee with the mentor. The mentor should encourage the mentee to resolve them personally.

However, if the Mentor is concerned for the mentee's physical or emotional health or safety, they have a responsibility to discuss the possible risk with the mentee and to take reasonable steps to avert it.

If the mentor has been told of something about which the University should take action, such as harassment, and then does not respond, the University may be considered to have deliberately ignored a problem because the mentor has not fulfilled their responsibility to disclose or remedy it.

There are several support opportunities available to staff within the University, eg counselling, occupational health, harassment advisors, equality and diversity officers who the mentor may need to consult about issues raised during meetings. The mentor should ensure the mentee is aware of this and is then kept informed of any follow up.

If difficulties arise between the mentor and mentee, these should be reported to the Head of Department who will seek to resolve them.