Policies & Contracts

201 - Equal Employment Opportunity

Subject: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Section: U201

Date: February, 2015


Purpose:

To express the University's continuing practice of nondiscrimination in employment.

Policy:

The University of Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, and job seekers, and is committed to making decisions using reasonable standards based on each individual's qualifications as they relate to a particular employment action (e.g., hiring, training, promotions). No person shall be discriminated against in employment or harassed because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, veteran status, military status, unfavorable discharge from military service, citizenship status, genetic information, marital status, parental status, ancestry, source of income, credit history, housing status, order of protection status, actual or perceived association with such a person or other classes protected by law. This policy includes the commitment to maintaining a work environment free from unlawful harassment.

Under this policy, no employee or applicant shall be subject to retaliation (including harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination) because he/she has engaged, in good faith, in the following activities: (i) filing a complaint under this Policy with the University, or with federal, state or local equal employment opportunity agencies; (ii) assisting or participating in an investigation or other activity related to the administration of any federal, state or local equal employment opportunity or affirmative action law; (iii) opposing any act or practice prohibited by this Policy or federal, state or local equal employment opportunity or affirmative action law; or (iv) exercising any other right protected by federal, state or local equal employment opportunity or affirmative action law. Staff employees and applicants for staff jobs should immediately bring any complaint or retaliation under this Policy to the attention of Human Resources (Labor/Employee Relations) or the Affirmative Action Officer.

Guidelines:

1. This Policy applies to all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment including: recruitment, hiring, probationary period, training and development opportunities, job assignment, supervision, promotion or transfer, compensation, benefits, layoff and recall, termination, and retirement.

2. The Vice President for Operations & Chief Financial Officer (VP & CFO) is responsible for ensuring that University policies (including this Policy) regarding the fair and equitable treatment of staff employees are implemented.

3. The Affirmative Action Officer coordinates the University's compliance with and interpretation of this Policy and advises employees, supervisors, and managers about the policy as needed.

4. Department heads, managers, and supervisors have primary responsibility for ensuring that employment decisions and the work environment are in compliance with this policy. Their own work performance will be evaluated, in part, on the basis of their efforts and results in the area of EEO.

5. Staff employees who believe they have been discriminated against, harassed, or have knowledge of such conduct should discuss their concerns or bring any work-related concerns to their supervisor. However, a staff employee may elect to contact Human Resources (Labor/Employee Relations) or the Affirmative Action Officer. Every reasonable effort will be made to conduct a prompt investigation and to treat complaints impartially and confidentially with a view to arriving at fair resolutions. If an investigation leads to a determination that this Policy was violated, corrective action up to and including termination of employment will be taken.

6. The University will provide, upon request by a job seeker or an applicant, reasonable accommodations for a disability, to complete the application process.

7. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the University shall provide upon request by an employee with a disability, reasonable accommodations for the employee when doing so will enable the employee to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Staff employees should contact Human Resources (Labor/Employee Relations) to initiate the disability accommodation process.

 

Employees represented by a union may be governed by the appropriate bargaining unit agreement.