DEANS, DIRECTORS, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, and ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Re: Guidance on Abusive Behavior in the Workplace
Dear Colleagues:
We are writing to share the guidance recently issued by President Napolitano regarding the University’s expectations for maintaining a productive work environment, including respectful treatment for all members of the campus community. This guidance is not intended to interfere with employees’ right to engage in protected activity under the Higher Education Employer-Employee Relations Act (HEERA).
On July 26, 2016, President Napolitano distributed a systemwide work group report to the Chancellors encouraging all campuses to help ensure that the working climate for staff is free of abusive conduct or bullying behavior. A systemwide definition has been adopted for the University, consistent with the language of the State legislature’s Assembly Bill 2053, which requires training on the prevention of abusive conduct. Abusive conduct is defined as “conduct of an employer or employee in the workplace, with malice, that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, and unrelated to an employer’s legitimate business interests.”
Abusive conduct may include repeated infliction of verbal abuse, such as the use of derogatory remarks, insults, and epithets, verbal or physical conduct that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating or humiliating, or the gratuitous sabotage or undermining of a person’s work performance. A single act shall not constitute abusive conduct, unless especially severe and egregious. The guidance listed here has examples of abusive conduct, as well as responsible supervisory actions.
Along with efforts being undertaken systemwide to prevent and address abusive behavior in the workplace, UCLA has a number of resources dedicated to assisting employees if they encounter such behavior.
The following offices are available to UCLA employees:
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Office of Ombuds Services |
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Employee & Labor Relations – Campus Human Resources |
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Behavioral Intervention Team |
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Employee Relations – Health Sciences Human Resources |
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Title IX Office |
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Staff Diversity and AA/EEO Compliance Office |
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Staff and Faculty Counseling Center |
We appreciate your support in encouraging all employees to observe the Presidential Guidance on abusive conduct in the workplace and bullying prevention. Please ensure that this information is distributed widely to staff in your organization.
Sincerely,
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Lubbe Levin |
Susi Takeuchi |
