Access Support for Workplace Concerns

The university community is made up of diverse individuals in a shared environment with different working styles, viewpoints, experiences and personality traits. As a result, instances of conflict naturally and inevitably occur. Addressing conflict in a way that reduces the impact of interpersonal harm on individuals is essential to supporting an environment that promotes healthy and respectful interactions.

The U of A is committed to providing a culture of care, and Human Resources, Health, Safety and Environment (HRHSE) coordinates responses to workplace concerns. This includes approaching cultural and psychological safety with the same level of intentionality as physical safety.

The Workplace Response Coordinator is a role identified within the university’s Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Procedure for Faculty and Staff (parent policy: Discrimination and Harassment Policy) focused on assisting with the intake of complaints, navigating options, proactively addressing concerns and providing opportunities to restore the workplace environment.

How to report a concern

Any member of the university community can contact the Workplace Response Coordinator at workplace.response@ualberta.ca if they have experienced interpersonal harm or have been discriminated against or harassed by a University of Alberta faculty or staff member and wish to actively address a concern.

Additionally, the HRHSE director of HR Partnerships handles the intake of formal discrimination and harassment complaints relating to support staff (per the NASA Collective Agreement, Article 18), non-union employees and other community members (per the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Procedure for Faculty and Staff).

Workplace response coordination within HRHSE is focused on preventing, responding to and addressing interpersonal harm within the workplace, including:

  • handling the initial intake of discrimination, harassment and Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) concerns relating to a faculty or staff member, and advising on complaint processes.
  • assisting disclosers in understanding and navigating their options, including how to make a complaint or where appropriate, and working with disclosers to determine the appropriate path forward for issue resolution outside of the complaint process
  • working as a liaison to increase the safety (psychological, physical and cultural) for individuals who have experienced interpersonal harm in the workplace
  • maintaining contact with disclosers to provide updates on the progress of a case
  • working to ensure a timely response and monitoring the progress and outcome of resolution processes
  • leveraging opportunities to restore the health of the workplace environment following a concern or complaint
  • monitoring trends in reporting of interpersonal harm and leverages assessment tools where applicable to help address systemic issues impacting the workplace

Important note about confidentiality: The university is guided by the regulations and expectations outlined within the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Alberta and the Alberta Human Rights Act. Every concern or complaint will be treated as confidential and where possible will take into consideration the wishes of the person who experienced harm. There are occasions where there is a limit to confidentiality and where the university will be compelled to take corrective action. These limitations exist when:

  • information is shared which indicates a child is at risk of abuse or neglect
  • information is shared that leads the university to believe there is serious risk of harm to self or someone else
  • information is shared which suggests financial fraud or risk of substantial financial loss to the organization
  • information is shared about violence and/or harassment which, if not acted on by the organization, could present the potential to expose others to similar harm

  • there is a court order or subpoena

Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights : There may be times where individuals are interested in understanding options and are not ready to pursue resolution. Individuals wishing to obtain advice, guidance or an understanding of options relating to disclosures and reporting can contact the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights.

OSDHR provides a confidential, neutral and safe space for members of the university community (students, staff and faculty) to speak about safety violations, financial mismanagement, ethical concerns, discrimination and harassment, among other concerns. Referrals will be made to appropriate areas should the individual wish to take further action.

For additional resources and learning opportunities related to this risk factor check out our support inventory.

Information directly modified from:  CSA Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace , Workplace Strategies for Mental Health  and  Guarding Minds at Work .

Additional Resources