Workplace Investigations and Safety
Certain workplace issues require formal investigative processes. Our office works in collaboration with department management and other administrative offices to address particular issues. In most cases, department management will be responsible for leading or co-leading the investigation in conjunction with the most appropriate administrative office.
Administrative Review for Harassment/Discrimination Complaints
Employees or students who believe that they have experienced prohibited harassment or discrimination at the University may file an administrative complaint with the Equal Opportunity / ADA Office on campus. The Equal Opportunity / ADA Office staff will work with the employee's management or the Dean of Students Office to investigate the complaint and issue a formal report. Complaints must be filed within 180 calendar days of the most recent event of alleged prohibited harassment or discrimination; however, to preserve grievance rights to the issue, employees must file the complaint within 30 calendar days of the event. Go to Policy.
Violence in the Workplace
Workplace violence should be reported either to UNC Public Safety or to Employee & Management Relations, depending on the circumstances. All violence situations need to be filed initially on the Workplace Violence Reporting Form and sent to our office for processing. Department management will also need to conduct an investigation and produce a written report of its findings. Go to Policy.
VIOLENCE IN PROCESS OR IMMEDIATE THREATS: DIAL 911
(UNC PUBLIC SAFETY)Violence currently in progress or immediate threats of violence should be reported to UNC Public Safety (dial 911) for emergency response coordination. The reporting party should then report the threat to Employee & Management Relations.
POTENTIAL THREATS: DIAL 919-843-3444
(EMPLOYEE & MANAGEMENT RELATIONS)Potential threats of violence should be immediately reported to Employee & Management Relations at 919-843-3444.
THREATS OF AN UNCERTAIN NATURE: DIAL 911
(UNC PUBLIC SAFETY)UNC Public Safety will assess the nature of the threat and may refer the reporting party to Employee & Management Relations, depending upon the circumstances.
Events that may result in criminal charges will be addressed by UNC Public Safety separately. Department management may need to conduct a separate investigation. Employee & Management Relations will work with the department to address disciplinary issues, as needed.
Some violence situations may result from additional pressures at the workplace or in an employee's personal life. Employee & Management Relations works with the University's Employee Assistance Program to help employees and management in addressing these issues.
Other Workplace Investigations
Some types of investigations may involve other University administrative offices, including:
- Electronic Use Violations: ITS Security will partner with E&MR and department management for cases of improper use of the University's computing systems, including unauthorized accesses, copyright infringement, pornography, unauthorized commercial use of University equipment and infrastructure, and other related issues.
- Fiscal Misconduct: Internal Audit will partner with E&MR and department management for cases of improper financial activities. Internal Audit may also partner with the Office of Human Resources in investigating wage-hour violations and leave record inaccuracies.
- HIPAA Violations: UNC Health Care will partner with E&MR and department management for violations of confidentiality requirements for health care records (HIPAA).
- Department management should contact Employee & Management Relations initially. E&MR will assist with connecting department management with the appropriate administrative office. In some cases, a University administrative office may initiate the investigation and will contact E&MR and department management for coordination. E&MR will work with department management to address any disciplinary issues that may arise from these investigations.
Workers' Compensation
The University's Workers' Compensation program is administered by the Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) Department for injuries occurring on the job. EHS also provides and coordinates safety training programs for all University workers.
Workplace Accommodation of Disabilities
The Equal Opportunity / ADA Office administers requests for workplace accommodations for an employee disability.
