Concerns in the Workplace
FIU values our diverse employee and student populations which contribute to the locally and globally engaged student-centered urban public research university. Your dedication and hard work is vital to the education, research, and outreach mission of FIU.
Given the vast and diverse populations, you may encounter some concerns in the workplace. Should this occur, there are various offices within the Division of Human Resources available to assist you.
Department of Access, Compliance, and Equal Opportunity
The Department of Access, Compliance, and Equal Opportunity (ACE) serves as the steward of federal and state laws and regulations, and FIU policies and guidelines – monitoring and implementing these as applicable throughout university operations. ACE houses both the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) and the Office of Equal Opportunity (EO).
Have a concern?
If any student, employee or applicant has a sincere and reasonable belief that they have been discriminated against or harassed based on age, color, disability, marital status, ethnic or national origin, race, religion, retaliation, sex or any other protected category, CRCA encourages them to report the incident.
Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility
The Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) is responsible for overseeing, directing, and managing the oversight, direction, and management of FIU’s Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action for Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, and nondiscrimination policies. CRCA, along with the administration, strives to maintain an inclusive environment free from discrimination and harassment.
Together, these offices provide support in the following areas:
- Discrimination
- Harassment
- Retaliation
- Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment
- Intimate Relations
- ADA Accommodation
- Pregnancy Modifications
- REPORT.FIU.EDU
Have questions about our office or resources? Contact us at (305) 348-2785 or email at ocrca@fiu.edu.
Employee & Labor Relations
Employee & Labor Relations’ (ELR) goal and objective is to ensure that the university is in compliance with federal, state, and local laws, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and university policies and procedures. ELR’s services are available to all university employees and can assist with the following:
- Provide interpretations of university policies, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and applicable employment laws.
- Provide supervisors sound and consistent advice in all ELR related matters to increase job productivity, engage employees, improve job performance, and reduce turnover.
- Consult and assist employees with issues, concerns, or difficulties they may be experiencing at the workplace.
- Advise HR Liaisons and university administrators by providing information, tools, and training in ELR matters.
- Consult and advise management of the progressive disciplinary process and implementation of actions.
- Provide assistance in performance management.
- Mediate between employees and/or supervisors who may be challenged with work issues that are impacting the workplace.
If you wish to discuss a matter with ELR confidentially, ELR will oblige to the extent possible. If the matter involves unlawful conduct or is critical to the interests of the university, an investigation may be necessary and information gathered may need to be shared on a need-to-know basis. Further, if information disclosed rises to allegations of unlawful activity including but not limited to discrimination or sexual harassment, ELR has an obligation to report the allegations to the appropriate office (i.e., OCRCA, University Police, Student Conduct, etc.)
Complaints
Employee & Labor Relations (ELR) can provide feedback and assist employees who wish to escalate a concern. The university encourages informal resolution to a complaint or work-related concern employees may have either with their supervisor or within their department. Below are the most commonly asked questions concerning the university procedures for resolving complaints in the workplace and the steps for filing a complaint.
Should I discuss my complaint with my supervisor?
We encourage all employees to first speak with their supervisor and give him/her an opportunity to address the issue. However, if your complaint involves your current supervisor and/or you do not feel comfortable discussing it with him/her, you are encouraged to contact the next level supervisor/department head, or you may contact ELR.
What if I am not satisfied with my supervisor’s decision?
If you are not satisfied with the decision your supervisor has made, you have the option to contact the next level supervisor/department head or ELR for assistance. If you elect to contact ELR, a representative will meet with you to discuss the nature of your complaint and recommend solutions to the matter at hand
Are my conversations with ELR confidential?
If an employee requests that the meeting be kept confidential, ELR will oblige to the extent allowed under law. If an employee discloses illegal activity, including discrimination or sexual harassment, ELR is duty bound to report such matters which may lead to a full scale investigation. ELR makes every attempt to keep the complainant’s identity anonymous but cannot make such guarantees.
What protection do I have against retaliation?
Retaliation against an employee for filing a complaint is prohibited. If you feel you have been subjected to retaliation, you should contact ELR immediately.
Office of Employee Assistance
Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) is the faculty and staff employee assistance program of FIU. The OEA provides confidential professional assistance, without charge, to help employees and their families resolve personal problems that affect their personal lives or job performance. OEA’s mission is to enhance the quality of life of FIU faculty and staff, improve personal effectiveness, and to create a healthier campus community by providing mental health assessments, brief interventions and/or referrals, small group facilitations, crisis response, and customized educational and training programs.