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Abusive Conduct and a Culture of Respect

The University of Utah (University) is committed to an academic and work environment that promotes, facilitates, and encourages mutual respect and collegial relationships. The University is committed to maintaining and promoting trust amongst all University employees in an ongoing effort by all employees to be collectively responsible, set a positive example, and treat each other with professionalism, courtesy, civility and respect in all interactions. This maintains the strong culture that is vital for the success of the individual as well as the whole Organization. The University complies with state laws that prohibit Abusive Conduct in the workplace.

"Abusive Conduct" means physical, verbal, or nonverbal conduct by an employee toward another employee (such as derogatory remarks, insults, or epithets) that based on the severity, nature, or frequency of the conduct, a reasonable person would determine any of the following:

  • Intends to intimidate, humiliate, or cause unwarranted distress;
  • Exploits an employee's known physical or psychological disability; or
  • Is unwarranted and results in substantial physical or psychological harm as a result of intimidation, humiliation, or distress.
The following actions do not constitute abusive conduct:
  • Appropriate disciplinary or administrative actions;
  • Appropriate developmental, critical, performance-related feedback;
  • Reasonable work assignments or job reassignments; or
  • Reasonable differences in styles of management, communication, expression, or opinion.
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Abusive Conduct Reporting Form

Any University Staff Member, or Academic Staff, Educational Trainees, Postdoctoral Fellows, and Medical Housestaff, except University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics (UUHC) Staff Members.
Contact UUHC HR at 801-581-6500 to learn more about UUHC reporting process.
If the faculty member is in the Health Sciences area (Dentistry, Medicine, Health, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Sciences Library), please send an e-mail to officeforuofuhealthfaculty@hsc.utah.edu to arrange a time for consultation. If the faculty member is in the Academic Affairs Colleges/Schools (not included in above list), please e-mail to officeforfaculty@utah.edu to arrange a time for consultation.
No. The university cannot resolve a report of Abusive Conduct without knowledge of all employees involved.
Information on this form is sent to University HR Management. Someone will follow up with you when the report is reviewed.
No. If the report is found to meet the definition of Abusive Conduct, the respondent and the University Authority will be notified of the report.
The University does not tolerate any form of retaliation for reporting Abusive Conduct in good faith.
Do not use this form to report an immediate threat. If you require emergency assistance, call 911 or 801-585-COPS.

Do not use this form to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, sex/gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of sexual misconduct. Direct these reports to the Office of Equal Opportunity at 801-581-8365 or oeo@utah.edu.

Additional Links

Human Resource Management

250 East 200 South, Suite 125,
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Phone: 801.581.2169
Email: AskHR@utah.edu

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