Faculty and Staff Reporting Guidelines

Reporting Unprofessional or Inappropriate Behavior

Behavior in the workplace may not meet the the UB policy definitions of discrimination or harassment, but still be experienced as unprofessional and/or inappropriate. Faculty or staff may be harmed by interactions or experiences with an individual who did not intend to injure, harm, or harass them. Faculty or staff may also witness inappropriate and/or unprofessional behavior. In these situations, SDM recommends faculty and staff follow any of the following procedures to report these incidents:

Direct Reporting

  1. If you do not feel comfortable addressing the concern directly with the individual, we encourage you to report any incidents to your supervisor or chair.
  2. If you prefer to contact someone outside of your department, you may contact Martha Boyer, Human Resources Officer for SDM at mmboyer@buffalo.edu or Dr. Latifa Bairam, Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at thikriat@buffalo.edu.
  3. If relevant, you may also contact UBSDM sexual harassment prevention advisors: Martha Boyer, Human Resources Officer for SDM at mmboyer@buffalo.edu or Jessica Scates, Director of Operations, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at jmscates@buffalo.edu. 

Anonymous Reporting

  1. If you do not feel comfortable addressing the concern directly, you may share your concern/feedback anonymously via the linked google form. Submission of your report indicates agreement to comply with HIPAA regulations. The Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will reviews and responds to all reports1. 
  2. In situations where you prefer to place an anonymous report in confidence, outside of the School of Dental Medicine, you are encouraged to submit a report via EthicsPoint, a confidential reporting service. Do NOT enter any patient identifying information beyond what is required in the template fields. Submission of your report indicates agreement to comply with HIPAA regulations. Reports will be sent to UB by EthicsPoint anonymously and confidentially. EthicsPoint makes these reports available only to specific individuals within the University who are charged with evaluating the report, based on the type of violation and location of the incident. Each of these report recipients has had training in keeping these reports in the utmost confidence. Visit www.buffalo.ethicspoint.com or call 844-678-0455 for more information.

Reporting Workplace Violence and Bullying

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines workplace violence as “violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed toward persons at work or on duty.” Workplace violence is any physical assault, threatening behavior, aggressive behavior, or verbal abuse occurring in the work setting. Learn more about UB’s Workplace Violence and Bullying Prevention Policy.

UB policy also prohibits bullying, which is defined as unwelcome behavior that undermines an individual or group through negative verbal, physical, or psychological abuse. Such behavior undermines the health, dignity, and well-being of employees, and can lead to workplace violence.

  • Immediately report all incidents and concerns of potential workplace violence to University Police Department at 716-645-2227 (for non-emergencies) or 716-645-2222 (for emergencies), your supervisor, or the Employee Relations Office at 645-7777 or brant@buffalo.edu.
  • Annually complete the Workplace Violence training program.

Reporting Discrimination and Harassment

The University makes a clear distinction between bias-related incidents prompted by intolerant behaviors and illegal discrimination or discriminatory harassment based on protected factors including but not limited to sex, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, and veteran status. Matters of discrimination and harassment are handled by the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. If you believe you have been discriminated against or harassed based on a factor listed in UB's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, or if you witnessed discrimination or harassment of others, contact the Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, 406 Capen Hall, at 716-645-2266 for an appointment to report an incident. You may call the office anonymously if you would prefer not to give your name. The investigatory process is outlined in full on the EDI website. Learn more about UB's Discrimination and Harassment Policy.

Footnotes

[1] For concerns shared through internal SDM networks, the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will direct the concern to the appropriate party when confidentiality and other legal obligations require it, including, for example, leadership within the School of Dental Medicine, Human Resources, or the UB Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. For HR related matters, the department chair and HR will meet with the faculty member to address concerns based on their nature and to ensure reporter anonymity. Interventions can range from counseling, targeted training, warning and in some serious situations, discipline including separation.