Policies

Inclusive policies are a critical part of enabling a fair and equitable environment. OIST strives to implement policies and practices to promote a healthy university community where our members can participate fully with dignity. We have included some of our institutional policies intended to foster a more inclusive environment below.

Please see here OIST action plans for Japanese government policies.

OIST Graduate University Respectful Workplace Policy

The University is committed to providing a work environment that promotes education, research, and productivity through working relationships based on respectful communication. This commitment calls for a workplace where the following core values are upheld:

1. Everyone at OIST without exception has an important contribution to make toward the overall success of the University’s mission.
2. This mission will be carried out in an atmosphere where all employees, in all types of jobs, value each other and treat each other with respect. Communication between employees should be polite at all times. This will be true even in situations of high pressure and urgency.
3. Diversity among employees is celebrated at OIST and employees must at all times exercise tolerance and respect for gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, medical condition, race, ethnicity, ancestry, culture, national origin, religion, or marital status. Special consideration should be given to those employees with physical or mental impairment.
4. Managers, supervisors and others in positions of authority should consider themselves as role models in the promotion of these core values, without in any way abdicating their responsibility to direct their employees to perform work effectively.
5. In the same spirit, employees, irrespective of their job title, are encouraged to discuss issues of concern without fear that those discussions will result in negative treatment or punitive consequences from any other employee of the University.
6. To promote mutual understanding and avoid unnecessary conflicts, an atmosphere where native English speakers are considerate of non-native speakers, and vice versa, is expected so that no language-related barrier restricts employees from participating in discussions or in asking questions.
7. In response to staff input, the University will make reasonable changes to improve the work environment and productivity at OIST.
8. Intimate relationships between students and faculty (or those involved in the academic supervision of students), supervisors and subordinates, or with outside vendors or related parties should be avoided, as they may lead to harassing behavior or conflicts of interest and may adversely affect the working or studying environment. If such a relationship exists, it must be reported to a supervisor and the Vice President for Human Resource, and measures will be taken to prevent harassment and conflicts of interest as necessary. Any such report will be treated strictly confidentially.
9. We will take disciplinary action against those who engage in disrespectful communication, discrimination, harassment, bullying, or sexual violence depending upon the nature and severity of the act and the seriousness of the consequences in accordance with our Rules on Disciplines, etc. for Employees.

OIST Gender Code of Conduct

The core principle of the OIST Gender Code of Conduct is to ensure that all faculty, staff and students of all gender identities and gender expressions have equal rights. Everyone at OIST should feel valued, respected, and be afforded development opportunities to realize their full potential. OIST supports the promotion and implementation of genuine equality for all. The Gender Code of Conduct applies to all who work or study here and contain the following five principles:

1. OIST is committed to providing an environment of equal opportunity to all in the pursuit of their academic and professional goals.
2. The interests of all gender identities and expressions should be optimally served at all levels and in all functions.
3. The dignity, integrity, self-identification, and expression of all must be respected. Sexual harassment, sexist behavior and sexist language are violations of human dignity.
4. Written and spoken language should express equal treatment of all gender identities and expressions while maintaining precision.
5. OIST supports flexible work practices and employment arrangements that enable faculty, staff and students to combine work or studies with their unique family commitments and seeks to accommodate a range of needs in a diverse workforce.

Parental Leave

The University conforms to the Act on the Welfare of Workers Who Take Care of Children or Other Family Members Including Childcare and Family Care Leaves (Childcare and Family Care Leave Act, Act No. 76 of 1991) and all relevant laws and regulations, allowing employees a healthier balance between family and work life.

For employees

Process for Maternity Leave and Child Care Leave (OIST employee login required)

Holidays and Leaves (OIST employee login required)

For graduate students

Childbirth accommodation policy

OIST "Stop-the-Clock" Policy

Faculty and Science & Technology Group (STG) members may request an extension of their contract and postponement of their evaluation to accommodate parental responsibilities relating to the birth, adoption of a child, or rearing of a baby. 

Full text of policy in the Faculty Handbook within the OIST Policies, Rules, and Procedures (PRP) Library

Policy for Tenure Track Faculty members (Tenure Review)

Policy for Tenured Faculty members (Unit Review)

Policy for Science and Technology Associates

Stop-the-Clock Applications for faculty and STG members

Remote Work

OIST offers up to 10 days of remote work per calendar month for eligible full-time employees who have passed the probationary period.

Rules of Remote Work (OIST login required)

Flextime

Monthly work hours and daily flexible working hours with core time has been introduced to achieve work-life balance and reduce overtime hours for non-discretionary employees (administrative staff eligible for overtime, research unit administrators). See the HR website (login required) for more information about how Flex Time can help you.

Flextime Summary フレックスタイム概要  (OIST login required)