[PDADC-L] Revised Policy on Problem Resolution for Research Associates and Senior Research Associates

HR #16, 2010-11

January 20, 2011

To: Principals, Deans, Academic Directors & Chairs
Research Associates and Senior Research Associates
Professional and Managerial Staff
HR Divisional Offices

From: Angela Hildyard, Vice-President Human Resources & Equity

Re: Revised Policy on Problem Resolution for Research Associates and Senior Research Associates

Please circulate to all Principal Investigators in your Division

In any organization conflicts arise from time to time between colleagues. The policy on Problem Resolution for Research Associates and Senior Research Associates provides mechanisms to facilitate constructive resolution where conflicts arise between a Research Associate staff member and a colleague at any level within the University. Feedback received from members of the Research Associate/Senior Research Associate Advisory Committee indicated that staff have not always found the current policy to be helpful. I have therefore proposed a number of amendments to the policy which are similar to the policy for Professional/Managerial staff. These amendments have been approved by the Business Board.

The amendments provide more options for resolution and more clarity with respect to the process, including:

• An increased emphasis on the importance of early resolution of issues.
• Additional supports such as the opportunity to seek advice from a Human Resource Manager from any HR office.
• A clear process whereby the employee may discuss a matter or present a complaint to the person to whom their immediate supervisor reports and then through successively higher levels of management OR to the Vice-President, Human Resources & Equity.
• Options to assist with resolution, such as mediation, facilitation or use of the Employee and Family Assistance Program
• A clearer statement outlining what employees who raise a complaint can expect in terms of a response.

The revisions were reviewed with and received the support of the members of the Research Associates/Senior Research Associates Advisory Committee.

The revised policy can be viewed at:

http://www.governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/policies/resassoc.htm

I encourage you to take the time to review the policy so that you are aware of its provisions should you require support of this nature in the future.