The Society of Radiographers has updated its message to student radiographers and learners, offering support and advice for those who witness or experience inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.
Published to coincide with the release of a new Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) resource, the SoR’s letter includes information on how to deal with discrimination, including racial discrimination, sexually inappropriate behaviour and non-inclusive practices.
The letter, written by the SoR’s students and new professionals officer Nichola Browne, states: “There is no place for discrimination in our profession or society as a whole. We are here to support you and help you, making change happen as needed.”
Read the full text of the letter below.
Earlier this month, the HCPC released a series of documents setting out the standards expected of regulated healthcare professionals and education providers.
Resources from the council include the definitions of discrimination, advice for those experiencing or witness discrimination and also guidance on the legal duties of your employer to prevent discrimination and harassment.
You can access the HCPC guidance here.
The SoR also runs a learner network (formally known as the student network), open to all SoR student and apprentice members. The network is for those hoping to step up professional activity, looking for a like-minded student community, or just want to find out a bit more about what’s happening in the world of radiography.
Register for the next student network event here.
Full text of the SoR open letter
Dear learner member,
From time to time, we receive concerning reports from members who have witnessed unacceptable behaviours towards learners on clinical placement. These have included – but are not limited to – racial discrimination, sexually inappropriate and discriminatory language, and non-inclusive practices. This has been further evidenced in findings from our SoR National Student Placement Survey 2024 | SoR, where almost two-thirds of respondents reported having either witnessed or experienced first-hand unacceptable behaviours in the workplace.
Our position on this is clear. The SoR is a fully inclusive organisation. We see it as our professional duty to challenge discrimination and promote inclusivity.
We recognise that learners are among the most vulnerable of our members. Often, when adverse events or behaviours are experienced, whether in an academic or clinical setting, it can be extremely difficult for a learner to challenge or report these.
There may be fears around the impact of disclosure on your progress, assessments or learning opportunities. You may not want to ‘make a fuss’ or just want to get to the end of your placement and forget about it.
We understand why many learners may feel vulnerable, but this is not okay. This is not acceptable.
There is no place for discrimination in our profession or society as a whole. We are here to support and help you, making change happen as needed.
Your learning experience is a vital and formative part of your journey into the profession, and your positive lived experience of this is our priority. You matter.
Your university and your clinical placement site have a duty of care for all their learners and will have initiatives in place for you to safely report any acts of discrimination. Please make sure you know where and how you can report any concerns you may have, whether about your own experience or on behalf of a colleague.
Additionally, as your professional body and trade union, SoR staff and workplace representatives are trained to challenge discrimination in the workplace, and we will always be available to offer a safe space to discuss any issues or concerns you have, however trivial you feel they may be. This is what your union is for, and our priority is to listen, engage and support each and every member when you need us.
Resources have been made available online in this area, and learners are encouraged to access our recorded webinars on Managing Conflict Confidently | SoR and Challenging Unwanted Behaviours in the Workplace | SoR
Most recently, with input and collaboration from registrants, learners, education providers and professional bodies, HCPC have also developed and published a resource to support registrants and learners who experience or witness discrimination in the workplace. This can be found at Discrimination in workplace and education settings | The HCPC
We are calling on all SoR members to be vigilant and to report any discrimination witnessed towards learners in either their academic or clinical learning environment. If you are experiencing unfair treatment, please contact your university or us directly for help and support. Please don’t go through this alone.
You matter. Help us protect you, and join us in challenging discrimination.
Best wishes
Nichola Browne, SoR students and new professionals officer
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Key Contacts:
- Students & New Professionals Officer: [email protected]
- Trade Union & Industrial Relations team: [email protected]