Confidentiality and Retaliation

Confidentiality

Sometimes, employees want to discuss concerns in confidence. The university does its best to take reasonable steps to safeguard privacy and confidentiality. Some federal and state laws limit the level of confidentiality that can be maintained. For example, Human Resources staff (as well as supervisors and managers) are obligated to report harassment claims and report of illegal activity.

Retaliation

Staff members can raise workplace concerns to their supervisor, the Office of Human Resources or other reporting office (ombudsperson, Office for Institutional Equity and Title IX) without fear of reprisal or retaliation. It is a clear violation of university policy for a supervisor to retaliate against a staff member who raises a concern.