Current and former employees of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF) have detailed allegations of bullying and a climate of fear to the Luxembourg Times, adding to claims of mismanagement piling up against the University of Luxembourg, some of which are now under judicial review.
University rector Jens Kreisel, during a press conference in November defended the institution after masked protesters claimed systemic harassment, saying that grievances needed to be handled within established channels and announcing the creation of a new office intended to improve the oversight of professorial matters.
“There has to be accountability. The university has to illustrate that they have mechanisms that work,” said a former member of staff of the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance in an interview.
The person was one of ten current and former faculty employees who spoke anonymously to the Luxembourg Times for fear of negative repercussions in the workplace.
The individuals interviewed come from a range of backgrounds, working both in administrative and academic roles at various levels of seniority. Of the ones who still work at the faculty, all have been with the institution for several years at least.
The leadership is very dominant, controlling and, yes, takes revenge
Several individuals described a lack of trust between the dean – the faculty’s most senior academic, effectively its director – and employees. For example, interviewees said they kept paper trails of verbal agreements for fear they would be purposefully misled and later betrayed.
“I was treading on eggshells,” said one person, with others also describing a climate of fear. “The leadership is very dominant, controlling and, yes, takes revenge,” said another person. “The deans at the university are quite powerful, and can take a lot of decisions, and they use that to make people compliant.”
Several spoke of suffering from burnout and other adverse mental and physical health effects. Many of those interviewed described incidents involving colleagues who declined to speak to this publication.
“I know at least 20 people who were bullied or harassed by the dean,” alleged one person, adding that there should be more cases that are unknown as victims are afraid to talk. Even between colleagues, staff do not know who they can trust or what negative ramifications there might be for speaking up, multiple people claimed.
“I was treading on eggshells,” said a staff member as employees raise concerns about management and workplace climate. © Photo credit: Anouk Antony
‘Never seen anything like this’
While academic environments are naturally competitive – and being close to the boss is beneficial in any job – multiple interviewees described the work environment as “toxic” and unlike what they had experienced at other institutions and previous workplaces.
“There’s always a bit of politics, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” said one interviewee, adding that leadership acts with impunity and mechanisms for checks and balances are either non-existent, ineffective or actively undermined.
“Every place has its politics,” said another, describing structural inefficiencies and a lack of procedures that allow the dean to rule like the “king of the castle”, with no transparency on decisions taken.
If she doesn’t like you, you’re done
“She can make or break your career,” said another person. The dean’s influence over promotions, evaluations and recruitment decisions creates a sense that speaking up or disagreeing with management could carry professional consequences.
“If she doesn’t like you, you’re done,” said one of the sources. “She’s going to block you in every possible way.”
Interviewees described cases and specific incidents in more detail, but the Luxembourg Times is not disclosing this information as it risks revealing their identities.
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One of the tactics described, however, was that the dean would withhold signing or approving necessary documents, with a substantial amount of sign-offs (from contracts to research grant applications) under her remit.
The threat of the dean launching formal investigations into alleged offences also looms large, several interviewees said. Even when no wrongdoing is found in the end, investigations bury their subjects in paperwork and are mentally and emotionally stressful, they said.
One of the persons interviewed described it as a “culture of silencing”.
The dean was first appointed in 2017, and the climate has become worse over time, several people said. Her mandate is due to expire next year.
One person described conflicts being resolved amicably under the dean’s predecessor and compromises sought. “You agreed to disagree, but that was it. It was quite healthy. But in the meantime, you really have to watch what you say.”
The record compiled by this newspaper is one of the most extensive, following reporting by Le Quotidien, which spoke with more than a dozen people across the university.
Internal review announced
The rector during the November press conference said that it is normal for some members of staff to claim negative experiences, for example about recruitment or promotion outcomes.
“Among 10,000 people, there will always be three or four who are frustrated,” he said, noting that the university “does everything possible to resolve situations and protect both staff and students.”
Several people, however, told the Luxembourg Times they felt they had nowhere to turn to. “HR? Out of the question. No objectivity,” said one person.
The university’s staff delegation did not respond to a request for comment.
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An internal ombuds office report, seen by the Luxembourg Times, states that 206 new disputes were reported to the mediator last year.
The university employs 2,687 people, according to data provided by the Ministry of Education. More than 250 work at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, although this number includes around 120 doctoral students, an annual report shows.
The University of Luxembourg did not respond to questions about the allegations against the dean, saying in an email that an internal working group was being set up “to review our procedures and strengthen awareness efforts where necessary.”
The outcome of that review is expected in the spring, a spokesperson said, adding that the university would not be communicating further until then.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone to come to Luxembourg
The dean’s office did not respond to questions about the working climate at the faculty, the dean’s working relationship with staff and the claims made against her. The dean in an email referred back to the university’s statement.
Between 2020 and 2025, the university’s human resources department logged 27 internal complaints related to moral harassment, discrimination, professional conflicts or alleged breaches of procedure, according to data published in December by the Minister of Research and Higher Education, Stéphanie Obertin, in answer to a parliamentary question.
Several cases against unfair dismissal have landed in court, as well as complaints against promotion procedures in the faculty. Plaintiffs allege that promotions were withheld deliberately. The Luxembourg Times on Tuesday will report on some of these cases as well as internal concerns raised over an ongoing recruitment procedure.
As reports about mismanagement emerge, the university risks losing credibility and reputation. One source who spoke with this newspaper said: “I wouldn’t recommend anyone to come to Luxembourg.”
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Cordula Schnuer, who reported on this story, worked at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance between September 2015 and May 2019.