The University of Oregon strives to foster an environment where every employee feels respected and valued. To support this commitment, the Office of Human Resources sends periodic reminders of the university’s respectful workplace policy and provides resources to help employees interact positively with each other and cultivate a sense of belonging.

“Our workplaces are made up of individuals of diverse backgrounds and cultures who have diverse opinions. That's great for the university and also means that sometimes disagreement and conflict can arise,” said Mark Schmelz, vice president and chief human resources officer. “I encourage us to approach conversations with an open mind and willingness to understand and appreciate other perspectives. We can respect each other as we disagree with other's opinions.”

Another thing to keep in mind, especially during election season, is that Oregon law governs the political activities of university employees when they’re on the job. Human Resources distributes periodic reminders of the UO’s political activities notice and policy. Employees will see this and the respectful workplace policy reminder in their inboxes mid-academic year.

In the meantime, here are a few of the resources Human Resources provides to help employees maintain a respectful, safe and inclusive workplace:

• Canopy Employee Assistance Program: Conflict management resources (Canopy login required).
• LinkedIn Learning: Difficult Conversations about Politics at Work (Duck ID login required).
• Campus and Community Resources list.