Every year, the Ombud writes a report taking stock of the past year’s activities, which is addressed to the entire CERN community. This annual report is above all an opportunity to make observations, shed light on matters and, wherever possible, propose some remedial actions. 

I’m currently in the process of finalising the latest report. Reflecting on the situations that caused 151 colleagues to contact the Ombud in 2022, I can already make one simple observation, which I would like to share with you.

At the heart of all the situations that were brought to my attention was an infringement of the Code of Conduct. 

By way of reminder, the Code of Conduct was introduced in 2010. Immediately afterwards, the then Director-General, Rolf Heuer, created the role of CERN Ombud.

The Code of Conduct was developed through a bottom-up process, based on the input of many working groups that were asked to reflect on the Organization’s values. 

The values chosen were commitment, professionalism, creativity, diversity and integrity, all underpinned by another fundamental value: respect for others. These values, and the Code of Conduct, were widely embraced and adopted by the CERN community.

However, in the examples below, which illustrate the range of situations that were brought to my attention*, it’s clear that the Code of Conduct was not followed:

• To get to her office, Jenna has to pass through a service area where photos of scantily dressed women are pinned up. She doesn’t feel safe in that environment. Where is the respect for diversity?
• Paul, a young, recently recruited researcher, receives minimal support from his supervisor, despite repeatedly asking for it. He feels in desperate need of support and feedback, and wonders if this is “normal at CERN”. Where is the professionalism of his supervisor? 
• Jean, a member of a team that has to deliver to a tight schedule, disappears for hours at a time with no explanation and systematically arrives late and leaves early. The rest of the team has to pick up the slack. Where is the commitment?
• Simon, who has been in the same role and performing entirely satisfactorily for 12 years, is losing motivation and enthusiasm and wants to change job. Another unit offers him a project that matches his skill set and experience and really motivates him. But a position can’t be opened for him in the other unit, so Simon is stuck. Doesn’t this call for a little creativity?
• Elena has presented her work at a conference and is preparing to publish an article that will be important for her career. She finds out that someone else is about to publish an article that reproduces, almost point for point, the innovative aspects of her presentation. She’s very worried that she might be being plagiarised. If this turns out to be the case, isn’t the value of integrity being flouted? 

Have we forgotten the Code of Conduct? I think it’s important to remind ourselves how fundamental it is. If CERN’s values are upheld, a conflict will rarely be destructive. In such cases, more often than not, it’s about a difference of opinion or of needs, a lack of information or a healthy airing of views. Such conflicts can be constructive and are more easily resolved, especially with the help of the Ombud.

Let’s remind ourselves of the importance of the Code of Conduct. We all have a role to play in making sure it’s properly implemented, and we all reap its rewards. 

Laure Esteveny

* Names have been changed.

I want to hear from you – feel free to email ombud@cern.ch with any feedback or suggestions for topics you’d like me to address. 
NB: If you would like to be notified about posts, news and other communications from the CERN Ombud, please subscribe to receive the CERN Ombud news.