Working together for an inclusive workplace

Collaboration between the employer/education provider, staff and students is a prerequisite for creating good working conditions. It is about creating a dialogue and common understanding of how to improve operations, where all parties contribute their perspectives and competencies. However, it is always the employer who is ultimately responsible for the work environment. 

Collaboration in this field covers many aspects of the relationship between employer and staff/students, such as health and safety issues, discrimination, risk assessments, organisational changes, changes to premises, etc. 

For collaboration to work well, we need efficient communication channels where everyone feels involved and where opinions are valued. Collaboration is not something that can be finished and then put aside. It is an ongoing process that requires perseverance and commitment from everyone involved.

SLU's organisation for collaboration on an inclusive workplace is organised at three levels with committees led by the vice-chancellor, deans and heads of department. At the university-wide level, the vice-chancellor chairs the Committee for an Inclusive Work Environment (KIA, kommittén för inkluderade arbetsmiljö).

SLU's deans each chair a faculty committee (FIA, fakultetskomitté för inkluderande arbetsmiljö), and the chief operating officer chairs the University Administration Committee for an Inclusive Work Environment (SIA, verksamhetsstödets kommitté för inkluderande arbetsmiljö). At department/division level, heads of department/division (equivalent) chair local committees (LIA, lokal kommitté för inkluderande arbetsmiljö).

The committees are a meeting place that enables SLU as an employer and education provider, in collaboration with staff and student representatives, to ensure that SLU offers a safe and inclusive work environment where we address related issues in a systematic way.

Collaboration means that employee organisations, principal safety representatives, safety representatives and student safety representatives can participate in planning, monitor how measures are implemented and contribute their perspectives and expertise.

KIA - Committee for an Inclusive Work Environment

KIA is SLU's central committee and a forum for collaboration between employers and staff/student representatives; the committee also advises the university management on issues related to an inclusive work environment.

The committee meets at least three times a year.

In KIA, SLU's overall direction for efforts towards an inclusive workplace for both staff and students is presented and coordinated, and the systematic work environment management, active measures and gender mainstreaming are followed up. The points in Chapter 6 Section 9 of the Work Environment Act, which detail the work of safety committees, are also addressed in KIA.

FIA and SIA - Faculty Committee and University Administration Committee for an Inclusive Work Environment

FIA provides a forum for collaboration on issues related to an inclusive work environment at the faculties and is an advisory body to the deans. SIA provides a forum for collaboration within the university administration and is an advisory body to the chief operating officer.

FIA and SIA each meet at least three times a year.

FIA monitors, analyses and evaluates the faculties' systematic work on an inclusive work environment for both staff and students, and suggests possible improvements at the faculties. SIA does the same for the university administration. Information for the follow-up is obtained from LIA. The points in Chapter 6 Section 9 of the Work Environment Act, which detail the work of safety committees, are also addressed in FIA and SIA.

The committees’ assignment also includes supporting LIAs in implementing tasks delegated by KIA and bringing forward needs to KIA.

A list of FIA and SIA members can be found in the governing document Organisation of SLU's work with an inclusive workplace.

LIA - Local Committee for an Inclusive Work Environment

LIAs provide a forum for collaboration on issues related to an inclusive work environment in departments/divisions (equivalent), and are an advisory body to heads of department/management teams.

LIAs meet at least three times a year.

LIAs are responsible for planning and monitoring systematic work environment management at a local level. This includes proactive measures in line with the requirements of the Discrimination Act, as well as activities connected to gender equality work. The points in Chapter 6 Section 9 of the Work Environment Act, which detail the work of safety committees, are also addressed in the LIAs.

LIAs report the findings of the annual follow-up of the systematic work on an inclusive work environment to FIA and SIA. There should be a LIA in each department (equivalent) and in the university administration divisions.

A list of LIA members can be found in the governing document Organisation of SLU's work with an inclusive work environment.

What is the purpose of these committees? 

In 2025, SLU merged its collaboration on work environment, gender equality, and equal opportunities into a single, combined organisation for collaboration on an inclusive workplace. This ensures efficient coordination of matters related to the work environment, gender equality and equal opportunities, and clarifies that responsibility for these areas follows the management reporting line.

The collaborative organisation is uniform, transparent and has a clear purpose, goals, and role allocation.

As an employer and education provider, SLU takes responsibility – together with staff and students – to comply with laws and regulations and to promote a safe and inclusive workplace for all staff and students.

How is the work organised?

SLU's organisation for collaboration on an inclusive workplace is organised at three levels. At the university-wide level, the vice-chancellor chairs the Committee for an Inclusive Work Environment (KIA). SLU's deans each chair a faculty committee (FIA), and the chief operating officer chairs the University Administration Committee on an Inclusive Work Environment (SIA). At the department/division level, heads of department/division (equivalent) chair local committees (LIAs).

What issues will the committees address?

The committees are responsible for SLU’s systematic work environment management, which includes investigation, risk assessment, action planning, and follow-up for both the work and study environments.

All committees are safety committees and must therefore handle the points in Chapter 6 Section 9 of the Work Environment Act.

The committees will focus on active measures. This includes examining risks of discrimination and barriers to equal rights and opportunities, analysing identified risks and barriers, taking action and following up. For SLU as an employer, the following areas are covered: working conditions, provisions on pay and employment conditions, recruitment and promotion, professional development and reconciling work and parenthood.

For SLU as an education provider, the following areas are covered: study environment, types of instruction and organisation of education, examinations and assessments of student performance, admission and recruitment procedures, and combining studies and parenthood.

For each of the areas mentioned, the committees work on issues relevant to their own activities.

Are there any templates available?

There are templates for agendas and minutes for KIA, FIA/SIA and LIA meetings, as well as support material that clarifies what the meetings and collaboration should cover. More information is available here (only in Swedish).

Where can I find the meeting times of the different committees?

KIA meets three times a year, usually in February, May and October. FIA, SIA and LIA also meet at least three times a year; each committee decides on meeting dates and invites its members. 

What about issues that a particular committee cannot influence?

Sometimes issues may arise in that the committee cannot influence. It is then up to the chair to assess whether the issue should be escalated or delegated within the organisation. Safety representatives can always contact one of the main safety representatives for advice, and student representatives and the doctoral student representative can contact the students’ union.

Where can I find the minutes of committee meetings?

All minutes can be found in Public 360, SLU's information management system.

What support is available?

There is a central coordination committee that provides support on issues related to the work of the committees. The coordination committee is made up of representatives from the Division of Educational Affairs, the Division of Infrastructure (Infra) and the Division of Human Resources. You can contact the coordination committee at samut@slu.se.

To successfully carry out systematic work on an inclusive workplace in an organisation as large as SLU, clear roles and a structured follow-up are essential.

Employers and education providers, together with staff and students, should collaborate and aim to reach an agreement in order to create an inclusive workplace; ultimately, however, the employer holds the responsibility.

The role of the employer

Has overall responsibility for the organisation. Decides on the direction of the organisation, budget, staff and work environment. Ensures that risk assessments are carried out and that measures are implemented to prevent accidents and ill health.

The employer representatives who are part of KIA have a responsibility and mandate to manage and take forward the issues at their respective faculties, departments and divisions.

The role of the safety representatives

Represent the interests of all staff in their area of protection in health and safety matters and work to prevent accidents and ill health in the workplace. Monitor that the employer complies with the law.

In the committees, principal safety representatives and safety representatives contribute the employee perspective; they gain insight into and can closely follow the work on an inclusive workplace at SLU and interact with managers at different levels.

Role of employee organisations (trade unions)

Represent union members and work on issues related to working conditions, salaries and other contractual matters.

In the committees, the trade union representatives contribute the employee perspective; they gain insight into and can follow the work on an inclusive workplace and interact with managers at different levels.

The role of student safety representatives and students’ unions

Being a student safety representative means representing students in matters concerning the work and study environment at the university. The student safety representative should be allowed to participate in safety rounds and can be the one to point out shortcomings that students want to bring forward. However, the student safety representative is not responsible for the actual work and study environment. This responsibility lies with the responsible department, with the head of department (equivalent) as the responsible manager.

In the committees, the role of the student safety representatives and representatives of the SLU students’ unions (Sluss) is to contribute the student perspective, gain insight into and closely follow the efforts towards an inclusive workplace, and to interact with managers at different levels.