Undesirable behavior
Undesirable behavior refers to actions or conduct that a person experiences as unpleasant, annoying, or disturbing. This is subjective and can vary depending on personal boundaries, background, and experiences. What may seem like a harmless comment to one person can feel hurtful or inappropriate to another.
Because undesirable behavior is strongly influenced by individual perception, it is important that employees feel safe to share their experiences. As a confidential advisor, you can help them explore and communicate their boundaries. A proactive approach also means taking preventive measures, such as organizing workshops on recognizing and respecting boundaries. By engaging in open conversations with teams and supervisors about behavior and social safety, you help prevent situations from escalating.
Transgressive behavior
Transgressive behavior goes beyond undesirable behavior and involves actions that clearly violate legal and ethical standards. This can include intimidation, discrimination, aggression, bullying, and sexual harassment. Unlike undesirable behavior, transgressive behavior is not subjective — it is defined by law and organizational policy and is by definition unacceptable.
As a confidential advisor, it is your role to listen, inform the person involved about possible next steps, and support them in reporting the behavior if they wish to do so. But it is also your responsibility to identify where patterns occur and bring these to light within the organization. By, for example, conducting cultural assessments and sharing the results with the management team, you contribute to structural improvements in policies related to social safety.
Creating a safe work environment
It is essential that both undesirable and transgressive behavior are taken seriously and addressed properly. A safe work environment begins with a culture in which people feel heard and respected. As a proactive confidential advisor, you contribute to this culture not only by promoting openness and providing clear information but also by working preventively.
This means that you:
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Regularly gather signals within the organization and identify trends.
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Provide workshops and training on boundaries, social safety, and respectful collaboration.
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Support supervisors in having preventive conversations about behavior and team culture.
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Initiate cultural assessments and discuss the results with the management team.
Through this proactive approach, you not only support individuals who feel unsafe but also help ensure that undesirable and transgressive behavior are structurally prevented within the organization.