Background
University Compliance, Ethics, and Risk (UCER) received a report through the UCF IntegrityLine alleging that a manager was harassing and belittling their employees, and openly sharing employee’s personal information, including medical information, to embarrass and humiliate them. During UCER’s interviews with university employees, allegations of potential discrimination arose, which led to a joint investigation with the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE). UCER and OIE reviewed relevant university documentation and interviewed personnel including the subject of the investigation.
Findings
UCER and the OIE substantiated that the employee made inappropriate remarks based on perceived sexual orientation, gender, religion, and employee’s use of sick leave and leave pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act; violated confidentiality by repeatedly sharing their employee’s personal information with individuals that did not have a legitimate need to know the information; engaged in threatening, intimidating, and controlling behavior; and made untruthful statements and engaged in victim blaming during their interview with UCER and the OIE.
Recommendations
Following the investigation but just prior to the issuance of the investigative findings to management, the employee resigned from UCF. UCER and the OIE’s draft investigative memorandum included recommendations to management to take appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination in consultation with both offices, Human Resources, and the Office of the General Counsel.
We would like to commend the employees who had the courage to raise these concerns and give us the opportunity to address this matter. If you become aware of a situation that is not in accordance with UCF regulations, policies, procedures, or standards of conduct, please report it through the available reporting mechanisms or submit a report through the UCF IntegrityLine.