“Today my client, Prof. Elke Van Hoof (VUB), learned that there would be a complaint against her. My client had no knowledge of this.” That says the professor’s lawyer against whom disciplinary proceedings are pending because of possible transgressive behavior and toxic leadership on Friday. They speak of a “trial by media”.
Today it came to light in the media that a formal complaint was filed against the professor by her employees in September 2022. The VUB confirms that disciplinary proceedings are ongoing and Van Hoof has been invited for a meeting with the rector. However, she herself believes that she and Flanders have been informed of the situation.
Lawyer Alexander Vandenbergen said that his client had never received a complaint about her performance. In addition, her work was recently rated “very good” and she received a “favorable advice” in February 2023 to extend her mandate.
“It is highly unusual that she had to learn about this through the press, and that the VUB did communicate with the press, but not with her,” says Vandenbergen. “What is going on here is very much like a trial by media, which my client will not participate in.”
In the light of the reports and “the attitude of the VUB”, Professor Van Hoof has decided not to extend her mandate. “We will continue to handle this file in discretion, as it should be with this type of file, and will not comment further,” concludes the lawyer.
Expert burnout loses all its employees: “toxic leader”, “big ego” and “passive-aggressive in her communication” (+)
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