Solving Workplace Problems

Harvard offers a wide range of problem-solving resources to help you deal with a variety of workplace situations. These resources provide both formal avenues for addressing issues and more informal opportunities to get information or find a person with whom you can speak confidentially.

Most workplace problems can be addressed within your own unit by working with your manager and/or local HR office. Union employees may seek advice from their union representative. If local efforts to resolve workplace issues fail, the collective bargaining agreement for each employee group outlines formal problem-solving processes. Nonunion staff will find the formal problem-solving process in the University's Personnel Manual.

Directory of problem-solvers

Harvard University Anonymous Reporting Hotline

The University Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows Harvard employees to anonymously report violations of ethics, integrity, compliance issues or other irregular business practices. To allow for anonymity, when you call the hotline you will speak with a third-party representative who will report your question or concern to University management for review and follow-up. You are also able to report concerns via a secure third-party website. Whether you call or make a report via the web, you will be provided with a report number to allow you to obtain updates or to provide additional information without revealing your identity. Call 877-694-2275 or go to www.integrity-helpline.com/HarvardUniversity.jsp for more information.

Local Offices of Human Resources

In most cases, if you are experiencing a problem at work that you can’t resolve with your manager/supervisor, you can consult your school/department office of human resources. Professionals there can advise you, explain University and department policies, answer questions about rights and responsibilities, and help resolve conflicts. They can also refer you to other helpful services.

Local HR Offices

Harvard's Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The professionals at Harvard's Employee Assistance Program provide free and confidential support to all faculty, staff and their household members and help find solutions for a wide range of workplace or personal issues.

Harvard’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Labor and Employee Relations

Labor and Employee Relations negotiates and administers the University’s collective bargaining agreements and provides advice, counsel and training to HR officers, supervisors and staff members on a range of employment-related issues.

Labor and Employee Relations
124 Mt. Auburn Street
Suite 480 South
Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-495-2786

University Disability Resources

Harvard University Disability Resources serves faculty, staff and students dealing with disability issues on campus and in the workplace. Your local HR office can connect you with these services.

The office ensures access for all persons with disabilities, serves as a resource for information and problem solving on disability issues, and raises awareness in the Harvard community.

University Disability Resources staff provide assistance to employees, departments, HR offices and union representatives with disability issues, such as transitioning back to work after disability, reasonable accommodations and adherence to the ADA, and education on the prevention of workplace injuries.

You can learn more about these services on the office's website.

Harvard University Disability Resources
Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center, Suite 900.
| 617-495-1859 | TTY: 617-496-0466 | Fax: 617-495-8520 |
disabilityservices@harvard.edu

Harvard Ombuds Office

The Harvard Ombuds Office is a confidential and independent resource open to anyone from the Harvard community. A discussion with an impartial Ombuds can help a visitor voice concerns, clarify goals and consider options so they can make their own best decisions about next steps. Any issue affecting one’s work or studies may be brought to an Ombuds. Services include coaching for difficult conversations, facilitation of individual or group conversations, education regarding policies, procedures and resources, connecting to resources when requested, and providing upward feedback to leadership about systemic trends and concerns. Training is also available upon request. The Harvard Ombuds Office is now one office with two locations serving Cambridge and Longwood. Appointments are available in person and virtually.

Title IX Office

The Office for Gender Equity works to advance Harvard’s commitment to providing an environment where each of us feels safe to participate fully in University life—whether studying, teaching, conducting research, or working to support our individual and collective goals.

Members of the Harvard community can anonymously submit disclosures of sexual and/or gender-based harassment to the Title IX Office anonymously.

Office for Dispute Resolution

The University has designated grievance procedures designed to provide prompt and equitable methods of investigation and resolution to stop discrimination, remedy and harm, and prevent its reoccurrence.

The Office for Dispute Resolution (“ODR”) has been charged with implementing the procedures for students, staff, and in some cases, faculty, pursuant to the University-wide Sexual and Gender-Based Harassment Policy. You can find information about the policy, resources and procedures for filing a complaint by visiting the office's website.