While University of Luxembourg employees say oversight mechanisms are failing and see an urgent need for thorough government scrutiny, the ministry itself says persistent claims of bullying and mismanagement will have no bearing on the institution’s budget for the coming years.
The Luxembourg Times this week reported on claims of bullying and a toxic work environment at the university’s Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance (FDEF), as well as lawsuits and internal complaints raised against promotion and recruitment procedures.
This came after anonymous protesters handed out flyers to members of parliament in September claiming systemic harassment and reporting in other media.
I would expect the ministry to have acted long ago
But the university will not be penalised financially, the government told the Luxembourg Times.
The institution’s 2026-2029 budget is due to be signed and presented at the start of next year after parliament adopts the overall public spending bill, the ministry said.
The protest and staff complaints, however, have “not been discussed in the framework of the negotiations on the next pluriannual budget,” a spokesperson said in a written statement.
The government for the 2022-2025 budget allocated €908 million in funding to the university. That amount is set to rise to just over €1 billion under the next four-year plan, according to the draft budget already published. The annual endowment will have grown from €220.7 million in 2022 to €277.3 million by 2029.
“The Minister for Research and Higher Education asked the rector – through the government commissioner to the university – to examine the situation with the necessary attention and, where appropriate, to take the measures required to remedy it,” the ministry’s spokesperson said.
The funding system creates a lot of pressure for the university, which trickles down into the faculties, said one person working at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance, interviewed by this newspaper.
For example, the person said, the university’s 2022-2025 budget was not adjusted despite multiple rounds of automatic wage indexation causing payroll costs to increase, money which must be saved elsewhere.
The Luxembourg Times spoke with ten current and former faculty staff, all of whom requested to stay anonymous for fear of reprisals and negative consequences in the workplace.
Disappointed with rectorate
Several of the people who spoke with the Luxembourg Times for this report were disappointed and disillusioned with how the rector has so far responded to media reports.
“It’s a joke,” said one person.
During a press conference in November, Jens Kreisel said that it is normal for some members of staff to feel disappointed about recruitment and promotion outcomes.
“Among 10,000 people, there will always be three or four who are frustrated,” the rector told journalists, noting that the university “does everything possible to resolve situations and protect both staff and students” and that “conflicts are handled rigorously.”
During a press conference held in November, Jens Kreisel stated that it is understandable for some staff members to feel let down by the results of recruitment and promotion decisions © Photo credit: Gerry Huberty
“I was really upset when I read about the press conference,” one former employee told this newspaper. “They don’t even recognise [the problem]. If they at least took it more [seriously] and had a ‘we’re going to get to the bottom of this mentality’. I mean, it sounds like there’s no hope.”
“The ministry should take this more seriously, look at what’s happening,” said one of the interviewees. “I would expect the ministry to have acted long ago,” said another person.
While in other countries, universities are in competition with each other, this is not the case in Luxembourg, they said. “You have one ministry, one university. And you’re powerless if you’re at the bottom of that food chain.”
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Contracts and evaluations
The higher research landscape in Luxembourg is no stranger to mismanagement claims. The Max Planck Institute on 1 January 2024 was integrated into the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance after more than a decade operating as an independent institution under the Max Planck organisation, which runs more than 80 research centres, mainly in Germany.
The Ministry of Research and Higher Education in 2022 intervened to terminate contracts with the institute after reports of pervasive bullying and psychological harassment.
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In the case of the university, new performance contracts will include a clause dedicated to well-being, professional development, and the quality of the working environment, the ministry said.
The contracts outline strategic goals, resources and performance indicators like research excellence and teaching quality, which are also subject to review.
The University of Luxembourg’s last institutional evaluation – part of the regular four-year audit required by law – focused on research (rather than governance or administration) but highlighted weaknesses that echo some of the issues raised by FDEF staff.
The recommendations included improving “human resource policies to support internal career development and consistent external recruitment”, and ensuring that “annual appraisals and promotion criteria are transparent [and] consistent.”
As the 2026-2029 budget nears approval, staff demand accountability amid ongoing complaints over promotions and work culture © Photo credit: Pierre Matgé
The audit also suggested a review of “the governance structure, laws and rules under which the university operates with a view to increasing its ability to consolidate after its start‑up period.”
The assessment was carried out by research consulting group Technopolis in 2024 and published in May this year.
“Only about one year has passed since the publication of the recommendations, which is in many cases too short a timeframe to adjust existing procedures, implement improvements or evaluate their impact,” the ministry said.
The implementation of the recommendations “will be assessed as part of the next external, independent evaluation, not by the ministry itself.”
Several people interviewed said the evaluations don’t result in change, and that oversight mechanisms are weak. Overall, they said, there is a lack of strategic and long-term vision for the institution.
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‘There has to be accountability’
The university this year created the Office of Professorial Affairs to improve recruitment procedures and oversee the hiring of professors and other senior academic staff, the ministry said, adding, however, that “the university enjoys autonomy in managing its internal affairs.”
“Even if you’re autonomous, even if you’re independent, there has to be accountability,” said one of the ten people interviewed by the Luxembourg Times.
While the ministry claims the university’s independence, one interviewee saw this as a convenient excuse. “We are completely financially dependent [on the ministry], which is also a big disadvantage for the university. And then in these things you’re independent,” they said.
Another called for a thorough audit, conducted by individuals with no ties or connections to the university or any of its leadership.
If the government seeks answers only from the existing management, “it’s like asking the cat who drank the milk,” they said.
The university, in response to a request for comment on the claims made by staff to this newspaper, noted that during the press conference it “announced the formation of an internal working group to review our procedures and strengthen awareness efforts where necessary.”
“The university will await the outcome, which is expected in the spring of next year. Until then, please understand that we have no further comment,” the spokesperson said in response to follow-up questions.
Cordula Schnuer, who reported on this story, worked at the Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance between September 2015 and May 2019.
