Revisions to the UC Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace

To: UC Santa Cruz Community

From: Associate Chancellor & EEO/AA Director Ashish Sahni; Assistant Vice Provost Academic Personnel Grace McClintock; and Associate Vice Chancellor & CHRO Steve Stein

The University of California Office of the President has issued a technical update to the UC Policy on Discrimination, Harassment, and Affirmative Action in the Workplace.

The changes include but are not limited to:

  • New requirements under the State of California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA):
    • A revised policy title.
    • California employers must develop and distribute anti-harassment and discrimination policies with certain required elements and create formal complaint processes to address employee concerns.
    • Modifications to the definitions of “Gender Expression” and "Gender Identity,‘’ and added definitions of “Transgender”, “Gender Transition”, and “Sex” to comply with definitions in the California FEHA regulations.
    • New requirement for the protections for volunteers, unpaid interns, and trainees, and harassment protections for contractors.
  • Incorporation of a new pay transparency rule.
  • Replaced the definition of “Covered Veteran” with “Protected Veteran”.

The revised policy is available online and is effective February 14, 2018. Additional revisions are anticipated in future.