Other Types of Complaints & Concerns
Not all improper governmental activities, policy violations, or reports of alleged workplace misconduct are addressed by the Locally Designated Official (LDO) responsible for reviewing whistleblower reports. UC policy and Collective Bargaining Agreements include dedicated employee grievance/complaint processes handled by specific campus offices. And some types of workplace behavior are inconsistent with our Ethical Values and Standards of Conduct, but are not generally viewed as an improper governmental activity. Management may be involved in addressing these types of complaints.
Much of the compliance training required of all employees addresses employee obligations for reporting misconduct and includes information about how to report various types of misconduct. The Campus Complaint Processes chart provides specific guidance on how different types of complaints are addressed and by which UC Merced offices. Some of the key complaint processes are summarized below:
- Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination (OPHD) - Addresses complaints related to sexual harassment and sexual violence, discrimination based on a protected category, disability failure to accommodate complaints, and retaliation claims that arise from complaints made to OPHD. See the OPHD website for additional information about your obligations to report as a Responsible Employee under the UC Sexual Harassment & Sexual Violence and UC Anti-Discrimination Policies.
- HR Employee & Labor Relations (HR-ELR) - Addresses complaints related to abusive conduct (staff employees), grievances filed by union-represented employees, grievances filed by non-represented employees under PPSM-70, interpersonal conflicts between supervisors and employees, and retaliation claims that arise from complaints made to HR-ELR. See the HR-ELR website for additional information about ELR complaint processes and services available to assist supervisors and employees with workplace concerns.
- Academic Personnel Office (APO) - Addresses complaints related to abusive conduct (academic employees), Faculty Code of Conduct formal complaints, grievances filed by non-represented/non-Senate academic appointees under APM 140, interpersonal conflicts between academic supervisors and employees, and retaliation claims that arise from complaints made to APO. See the APO website for additional information about APO complaint processes and services available to assist academic employees with workplace concerns.
It is important to report any disclosed, witnessed, or suspected harm, even if you aren’t sure whether you are required to report it. If you are not sure which office handles a concern you may have, report it to the LDO via the UC Whistleblower Hotline. When the LDO receives a complaint that is handled by another campus office, the LDO refers the matter to the appropriate office.
