Policy Statement
WNE expects that each member of our community will be treated with civility, respect, and dignity. If a disagreement occurs between individuals and/or groups, we expect that the merits of opposing positions will be discussed without resort to insult, personal attack, or bias. Behavior or conduct that is biased or harassing will not be tolerated.
Reason for Policy
WNE is committed to the cultivation of a Pluralistic Society, celebrating the diversity of our community, locally and globally, and creating a community that fosters tolerance, integrity, accountability, citizenship, and social responsibility.
Who Is Governed by this Policy
All Faculty and Staff
Policy
Our human capital is the most valuable asset we have. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation and achievement as well.
We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique.
WNE’s DEI initiatives are applicable—but not limited to—our practices and policies on recruitment and hiring; compensation and benefits; professional development and training; promotions; social and recreational programs; layoffs; terminations; and the ongoing development of a work environment built on the premise of gender and diversity equity that encourages and enforces:
- Respectful communication and cooperation between all employees.
- Teamwork and employee participation, permitting the representation of all groups and employee perspectives.
- Work/life balance through flexible work schedules to accommodate employees’ varying life cycle needs.
- University and employee contributions to the communities we serve to promote a greater understanding and respect for the diversity.
All employees of WNE have a responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect at all times. All employees are expected to exhibit conduct that reflects inclusion during work, at work functions on or off campus, and at all other University-sponsored and participative events. All employees are also encouraged to attend diversity awareness training to enhance their knowledge and to gain insights to fulfill this responsibility.
DEI learning modules are available to all Faculty and Staff through LinkedIn Learning. When you log in to office.com using your WNE credentials, there is a search box at the top of the welcome page. Search for LinkedIn Learning there. It will present you with a link to access all 15,000+ professional development online courses.
Expectations for employees include, but are not limited to:
- Hiring Committee members attending implicit bias training prior to the start of the hiring process
- No employee shall be permitted to use inappropriate slurs
- All open positions will require a diverse slate of qualified candidates
- Appropriate recruitment methods and advertisements shall be used to attract diverse, qualified candidates
- On-boarding and orientation of new employees shall include DEI learning and development and efforts to be welcoming and inclusive
- Employees will have access to LinkedIn Learning, which can be used for professional development and for Faculty, to supplement course materials
- Performance Management for Staff shall include meaningful opportunities for professional development, regular feedback from supervisors, and an honest and thorough annual evaluation
- Faculty shall follow the development, promotion, and evaluation process as outlined in the Faculty Handbooks
Any employee found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behavior against others may be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to sanctions or termination.
Employees who believe they have been subjected to any kind of discrimination that conflicts with the University’s diversity policy and initiatives should seek assistance from a supervisor or an HR representative.
Document History
Policy Origination Date: May 19, 2023
Who Approved This Policy
Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Contact
Associate Director of Human Resources
Rivers Memorial