Workplace bullying/abusive conduct

I am reaching out to reaffirm that everyone in the UC Santa Cruz community is entitled to work in an atmosphere free from bullying and abusive conduct. University of California President Janet Napolitano has issued guidelines regarding UC expectations, and UC Santa Cruz is fully committed to fostering an environment free from bullying and abusive conduct.

Abusive conduct may include repeated infliction of verbal abuse, such as the use of derogatory remarks, insults, and epithets, verbal or physical conduct that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating, or humiliating, or the gratuitous sabotage or undermining of a person’s work performance. A single act shall not constitute abusive conduct, unless especially severe and egregious.

If you believe you are the target of workplace bullying or abusive conduct, please contact one of the following individuals:

Staff (including student employees): Jennifer Schiffner at 831-459–1930 or jschiffn@ucsc.edu 

Academic employees (including student employees): Susan Fellows at 831-459–5032 or sfellows@ucsc.edu 

Everyone: Nancy Heischman at 831-459–2290 or nheischm@ucsc.edu

UC Santa Cruz has compiled online resources, including a website with information on identifying workplace bullying, as well as procedures and resources for employees affected by bullying at work.

Staff Human Resources offers training on how to respond to bullying—for managers and supervisors, as well as those who are experiencing abusive conduct. Below are some upcoming trainings on bullying/abusive conduct in the workplace.

Are You Being Bullied? May 23, 2018; 2:30–4:30 p.m. - Kerr Hall, Room 212

Addressing Bullying & Abusive Conduct at UCSC (for Managers) May 9, 2018, 1:30-4:30 p.m. - 100 Enterprise Way, Scotts Valley, CA, Room 1101

Additional information and resources are available on the UC Santa Cruz Problem and Complaint Resolution website. 

I strongly encourage all managers and supervisors to review the workplace bullying website and to attend the workplace bullying training for managers and supervisors.

Bullying damages morale and erodes productivity. If you have concerns, please reach out for support. It will benefit the entire campus community.