Retaliation

Retaliation is defined as acts or words taken against an individual, because of the individual’s participation in a protected activity that would discourage a reasonable person from engaging in such protected activity.

University policy explicitly prohibits retaliation against individuals who report improper activity by a State agency (including the University) or a State employee (including University employees) as outlined in the Policy on Protection for Reporting Improper Government Activities. Several other University policies also contain anti-retaliation provisions that protect individuals who, in good faith, utilize those policies (e.g., the Policy on Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment and Related Misconduct and the Violence in the Workplace Policy).

Individuals who have a concern about potential or actual retaliation are encouraged to report those concerns immediately to the appropriate office identified in the relevant policy. Individuals may also be able to utilize applicable grievance procedures within the designated time frame to address concerns of retaliation. The University will take reasonable steps to protect individuals from prohibited retaliation.