Employment Related Legal Claim:  What if there is a legal claim against me based on something I did at work?

Discrimination:  What should I do if I think I’ve been discriminated against?

Sexual Harassment: What should I do if I supervise an employee who claims she/he is being harassed, but I don’t know if it is sexual harassment?

Employment Related Legal Claim:  What if there is a legal claim against me based on something I did at work?

From time to time, individual University employees are sued as a result of their activities as University employees.  For example, University employees who drive as part of their job are occasionally involved in automobile accidents in which the plaintiff (person who initiates the lawsuit) sues the University and the driver of the University of Memphis vehicle.

 An individual employee’s right to be defended at the University’s expense depends on whether the employee was acting within the scope and course of his or her duties when the incident occurred and the degree of fault by the employee.

Discrimination:  What should I do if I think I’ve been discriminated against?

 If you are an employee, consider talking with your supervisor.  If you are dissatisfied or are uncomfortable, students and employees may contact the Affirmative Action Office (AAO) at (901) 678-2713 or visit the office at 156 Administration Building.  The AAO staff can discuss your concerns, help you clarify your allegations and work through various alternatives to resolve the matter.  If you want to file a formal complaint with the University, the AAO staff will investigate and make a recommendation as to whether discrimination occurred, along with potential corrective action.

Sexual Harassment: What should I do if I supervise an employee who claims she/he is being harassed, but I don’t know if it is sexual harassment?

Staff from the Office of Legal Counsel, the Affirmative Action Office or Human Resource Department can work with supervisors and administrators to review actions in light of claims of harassment and to respond to those complaints.  It is important to take such allegations seriously and insure that they are addressed.

Harassment is reprehensible and will not be tolerated by the University.  The University of Memphis strives to provide a place of work and study free of sexual harassment, intimidation, or exploitation.  It is expected that students, faculty and staff will treat each other with respect.