A safe (working) environment at Doctors without Borders

Every staff member of Doctors without Borders, whether working at headquarters or in countries where Doctors without Borders operates, signs our Code of Conduct upon employment. This document outlines:

the standards for responsible behaviour
what constitutes unacceptable behaviour
the responsibilities of employees and managers
the procedure for reporting complaints about unacceptable behaviour
Our Code of Conduct is public and can be downloaded via the link below.

Download our Code of Conduct.

We organise regular trainings and workshops to ensure that all staff at Doctors without Borders understand what is expected of them in terms of respectful behaviour, how they can contribute to a safe working environment, and how to report unacceptable behaviour. For staff going on their first overseas assignment, responsible behaviour is a standard part of the training.

We ensure that employees in leadership positions are aware of their role and responsibility in creating a safe working environment. They are trained in preventing unacceptable behaviour and handling complaints or reports.

Our Responsible Behaviour Unit focuses on preventing unacceptable behaviour and follows up on complaints and reports. They are responsible for drawing up the Code of Conduct and the content of training courses and workshops on the Code of Conduct.

Regular team meetings are held for employees at our offices and in the locations where we provide assistance to inform them about the behavioural expectations. The aim of these meetings is to raise awareness about responsible behaviour and to inform colleagues about the options to report unacceptable behaviour that they witnessed or experienced.

It is extremely important that our staff are aware that they have a certain position of power over patients and sometimes over each other. We ask them to deal with this in a responsible manner and to behave with integrity and respect. In this way, we also create a safe environment for our patients.

At Doctors without Borders, we encourage a culture of open dialogue where staff feel comfortable to seek advice, indicate their boundaries, give feedback, and address unacceptable behaviour. This way, we hold ourselves and each other accountable for how we interact with each another.

We also encourage patients and people in the communities where we work to report unacceptable behaviour by Doctors without Borders staff, so allegations can be properly followed up and/or investigated.

Employees have different channels to report unacceptable behaviour, namely:

• To their direct supervisor
• To their supervisor’s supervisor
• To one of the (external) confidantes at the office or in the country where the staff member works (if available)
• To the Responsible Behavior Unit, via email: rbu@amsterdam.msf.org or Phone/WhatsApp/Telegram: +31 (0)6 2094 1917

After reporting a complaint about unacceptable behaviour, the report is handled by our Responsible Behaviour Unit. The Unit determines if a complaint is admissible and discusses various follow-up options with the complainant. If necessary, the Responsible Behaviour Unit can initiate an investigation or recommend an external investigation. Investigators speak with relevant parties involved and any witnesses and review any other evidence. If there is clear and convincing evidence that the reported unwanted behaviour occurred, the Responsible Behaviour Unit recommends an appropriate sanction for the accused staff member. Sanctions can range from verbal to written warnings, to suspension or dismissal. Dismissal means that the person can no longer work for Doctors without Borders worldwide.

We aim to remove any potential barrier(s) to reporting unacceptable behaviour. All reports are taken seriously, always treated confidentially and there is no statue of limitations on making a report. Complainants do not have to fear dismissal as a result of a report, and as an organisation, we do everything possible to minimize risks to the personal safety of both the Complainant and the Subject.

The safety and well-being of Complainants of unacceptable behaviour are always our top priority. We provide psychological and medical support to Complainants and, in case of potential criminal offences, we offer legal assistance.

We acknowledge that there may be circumstances that prevent individuals from reporting unacceptable behaviour. Someone may fear stigmatization, retaliation, or not being believed. Certain contexts in which we work may exacerbate the fear of reporting, such as conflict areas where the population is heavily dependent on external aid or employment. This is a complex issue, and we strive to create an environment where both patients and staff can, and dare to, safely report unwanted behaviour.

• Code of Conduct (pdf)
• MSF discrimination & racism action-plan
• MSF charter