As of July 1, 2025, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) has introduced a new role — Ethical Mediator, currently held by Mgr. Lenka Ulašinová Bystrianska, PhD. (Office of SAS). This position was established under the auspices of the SAS Ethics Committee with the aim of fostering a healthy work environment and providing employees with a safe, confidential, and constructive way to address internal conflicts.
Ethical mediation is a voluntary process in which the mediator acts as a neutral and independent party. Their role is not to make decisions, but to create space for open communication and support the parties involved in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
Employees may reach out to the ethical mediator in cases of:
- interpersonal conflicts and tense relationships in the workplace
- deteriorated collaboration, misunderstandings, or dissatisfaction
- work-related disagreements that cannot be resolved independently
Ethical mediation is not suitable in cases involving:
- violations of the law (e.g., fraud, violence)
- sexual harassment, bullying, or abuse of power
- situations where a significant imbalance of power exists or would persist during mediation
In such cases, it is necessary to contact SAS confidential advisors, institution leadership, the SAS Committee for Equality, or the relevant authorities.
Employees and PhD students can contact the SAS ethical mediator:
- directly, or
- through the SAS Ethics Committee
Ethical mediation is a confidential process, and all participants are bound by confidentiality.