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SHRA Employee Relations Policies

Below are summaries of the policies that apply to SHRA employee relations at UNC-Chapel Hill. Click the policy links for each subject to read the full policy statement in the University policy repository.

All University employees are covered individuals under the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on ADA Reasonable Accommodations for Employees, Applicants and Visitors. Additionally, applicants for employment are covered while they are participating in the application process. Visitors to campus or those participating in University sponsored events are also covered.

The University is committed to providing SHRA permanent employees and University management with a fair, clear and useful tool for correcting performance deficiencies as well as a process to assist management in addressing instances of unacceptable personal conduct.

Disciplinary Action Policy

It is the policy of The University of North Carolina that the grievance process exists to allow for prompt, fair and orderly resolution of disputes arising out of employment. The University of North Carolina has therefore adopted this Grievance Policy to further these goals as approved by the State Human Resources Commission.

More about employee grievances

Employee & Management Relations (E&MR) in the Office of Human Resources (OHR) provides this Facilitated Conversations Program to encourage supervisors and employees to work together to resolve their differences. The University values open and respectful communication among supervisors and employees, and through this program the University provides a venue for parties to talk freely and openly about their needs, interests, opinions, and point of view while addressing mutual concerns.

More about Facilitated Conversations

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has established and maintains a program of education designed to help all members of the University Community avoid involvement with illegal drugs.The University provides information about drug counseling and rehabilitation services available to members of the University Community through campus-based programs and through community-based organizations. Persons who voluntarily avail themselves of University services are hereby assured that applicable professional standards of confidentiality will be observed.

Illegal Drugs Policy

Legal defense may be provided for civil or criminal action or proceedings which arise against employees because of an act or an omission in the scope of employment. According to provisions of the law, the Attorney General has the authority to determine whether the State will provide defense for an employee.

Policy on Legal Defense

Each employee retains all of the rights and obligations of citizenship provided in the Constitution and laws of the State of North Carolina and the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. However, no employee subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act shall take any active part in managing a political campaign, campaigning for political office, or otherwise engaging in political activity

Policy on Limitations on Political Activity

This policy prohibits certain types of relationships in academic and workplace environments that create an inherent conflict of interest. The policy prohibits related persons from supervising, evaluating, or influencing academic and employment decisions, including supervising and evaluating related students or students with whom an employee has had a romantic relationship. Additionally, the policy prohibits employees from engaging in romantic relationships with students under the age of 18.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is dedicated to maintaining a healthy work and learning environment. The University prohibits smoking inside its buildings and facilities, as well as in state-owned vehicles and in the outdoor areas controlled by the University up to 100 feet from University facilities.

No Smoking Policy

The Policy on Prohibited Sexual Harassment under Title IX< is grounded in Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and its implementing regulations. Allegations of Sexual Harassment, including Sexual Assault, as well as Interpersonal Violence and Stalking not meeting the definitions of this Policy will be addressed the University’s Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct.

This Policy prohibits all forms of Discrimination and Harassment based on Protected Status. It expressly, therefore, also prohibits Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation, which by definition involve conduct of a sexual nature and are prohibited forms of Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment. This Policy further prohibits Stalking and Interpersonal Violence, which need not be based on an individual’s Protected Status. Finally, this Policy prohibits Complicity for knowingly assisting in an act that violates this Policy and Retaliation against an individual because of their good faith participation in the reporting, investigation, or adjudication of violations of this Policy. University students and employees who violate this Policy may face discipline up to and including expulsion or termination.

Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct Including Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment, Sexual Violence, Interpersonal Violence and Stalking

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina that employees shall be encouraged to report to their supervisor, department head, or other appropriate authority evidence of activity by a State agency or State employee constituting a violation of State or federal law, rule or regulation; fraud; misappropriation of State resources; substantial and specific danger to the public health and safety; or gross mismanagement, a gross waste of monies, or gross abuse of authority.

Further, it is the policy of the State of North Carolina that employees be free of intimidation or harassment when reporting to public bodies about matters of public concern, including offering testimony to or testifying before appropriate legislative panels.

Policy for Protection for Reporting Improper Government Activities (Whistleblower Protection)

The University is committed to assuring a safe and secure environment for its faculty, staff, students, visitors, and others who may receive services from or have contact with University employees. For this reason, the University has enacted this policy which provides a mandatory process by which all employees (as defined below) must report any post-employment criminal conviction(s) to appropriate University administrators and sets forth standards by which any convictions will be evaluated and acted on.

Policy for Reporting of Criminal Convictions for Currently Employed Faculty and Staff

The University is committed to provide a workplace that is free from workplace violence by establishing preventative measures, by holding perpetrators of violence accountable, and by providing assistance and support to victims. Any form of violence as defined in this policy may be cause for disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal, as unacceptable personal conduct

Learn more about how the University addresses workplace violence.