The Office of Employment Equity (OEE) conducts investigations regarding-
- Discrimination and Harassment based on protected classes;
- Workplace Violence;
- Sexual Misconduct Under Title IX; and
- Conscientious Employee Protection.
Through the investigation process, each case is assigned to an OEE investigator who will interview each party involved, including witnesses. At the end of the investigation process, a letter of determination outlining whether a policy violation was found will be sent to each party, including the appropriate unit head. If there is a finding, the unit head will determine any appropriate corrective or disciplinary actions.
Below are the different basis for a formal investigation:
Discrimination and Harassment
Discrimination is defined as an intentional or unintentional act which adversely affects employment or educational opportunities due to membership in one or more of the following protected categories:
- Race/Color
- National Origin/Ancestry
- Religion
- Age
- Sex/Gender
- Ethnicity
- Disability
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity and Expression
- Genetic Information
- Atypical Hereditary Cellular or Blood Trait
- Marital Status
- Civil Union Status
- Domestic Partnership Status
- Veteran or Military Status
- Pregnancy
Harassment is defined as conduct directed toward an individual or group based upon membership in one or more protected categories, as set forth above, which is sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter an individual’s employment conditions or educational opportunities and, in turn, creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment for employment, education, or participation in university activities.
If you think you are experiencing discrimination or harassment based upon a protected category, please refer to the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment and OEE Complaint Process for more information.
If you wish to file a Formal Complaint, you may fill out the Complaint Investigation Request Form via the OneSource employee portal, or you may submit a paper Complaint Form to the Director of OEE by email at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu, by mail at 57 U.S. Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554, or by fax at 732-932-0049.
If you have questions about OEE’s policies or complaint process, or if you need assistance filing a complaint, please contact OEE at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu or call (848) 932-3973.
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is defined as any actual or threatening behavior of a violent nature, as understood by a reasonable person, exhibited by faculty, staff, student employees, or others within the scope of this Policy. Examples of workplace violence include, but are not limited to: intentional physical contact for the purpose of causing harm, as well as menacing or threatening behavior where such behavior would be interpreted by a reasonable person as being evidence of intent to cause physical harm.
If you think are experiencing Workplace Violence, please refer to the Policy Prohibiting Workplace Violence and OEE Complaint Process for more information.
If you wish to file a Formal Complaint, you may fill out the Complaint Investigation Request Form via the OneSource employee portal, or you may submit a paper Complaint Form to the Director of OEE by email at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu, by mail at 57 U.S. Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554, or by fax at 732-932-0049.
If you have questions about OEE’s policies or complaint process, or if you need assistance filing a complaint, please contact OEE at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu or call (848) 932-3973.
Sexual Misconduct Under Title IX
This policy applies to conduct committed by university employees and/or third parties and prohibits the following behaviors focused on sex and/or gender:
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual violence
- Sexual exploitation
- Gender-based harassment
- Stalking
- Relationship violence
If you think you are experiencing sexual misconduct, please refer to University Policy 60.1.33: Title IX Policy and Grievance Procedures for more information.
If you wish to file a Formal Complaint, you may fill out the Complaint Investigation Request Form via the OneSource employee portal, or you may submit a paper Complaint Form to the Director and Title IX Coordinator of OEE by email at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu, by mail at 57 U.S. Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554, or by fax at 732-932-0049.
If you have questions about OEE’s policies or complaint process, or if you need assistance filing a complaint, please contact OEE at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu or call (848) 932-3973.
For a list of resources, please refer to our resources supplement.
To learn more about the university's commitment to preventing sexual harassment and misconduct, visit the Rutgers Sexual Harassment Prevention and Culture Change website.
Retaliation
The Conscientious Employee Protection Policy protects employees who report workplace wrongdoing that is in violation of law or public policy from retaliatory action. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, the following adverse actions taken against employees in these cases:
- Discharge
- Suspension
- Demotion
- Other forms of discipline
The Policy Prohibiting Discrimination and Harassment, the Policy Prohibiting Workplace Violence, and the Title IX Policy and Grievance Procedures also prohibit retaliation against individuals who, in good faith, assert their rights to bring a complaint of discrimination or harassment, sexual misconduct, or workplace violence, as well as for objecting to such conduct, and for participating in investigations of such conduct. Retaliation is also prohibited against individuals who request accommodations based on their disability or religion.
If you think you have experienced any of the above retaliatory actions, please refer to the applicable policy and OEE Complaint Process for more information.
If you wish to file a Formal Complaint, you may fill out the Complaint Investigation Request Form via the OneSource employee portal, or you may submit a paper Complaint Form to the Director of OEE by email at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu, by mail at 57 U.S. Highway 1, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8554, or by fax at 732-932-0049.
If you have questions about OEE’s policies or complaint process, or if you need assistance filing a complaint, please contact OEE at employmentequity@hr.rutgers.edu or call (848) 932-3973.