SMPH Intranet
For the School of Medicine and Public Health Community

How to Report a Concern

Do you need to report a concern?

All SMPH community members are responsible for upholding the school’s Shared Guidelines for Professional Conduct. If you experience or witness behavior contrary to the expectations set forth in those guidelines, there are several possible options depending on what has occurred, the role(s) of those involved, whether informal or formal resolution is pursued, and whether anonymity is desired.

Specific circumstances will determine reporting options and next steps. Conflict in an organization’s environment can arise in multiple ways, ranging from interpersonal disputes about performance to violations of institution’s policies or committing unlawful practices. The circumstances of an issue determine appropriate next steps.

Click the tab corresponding with your role for instructions on how to report a concern.  

Student/learner    Staff    Faculty

Anonymity

Student/learner

In some situations, informal conflict resolution can be an effective measure. The following are examples of informal approaches:

  • Directly approach the individual whose behavior is unwelcome. Tell them how their behavior affected you and tell them that you don’t want it to happen again.
  • Ask for an intermediary to approach the individual on your behalf. This could be a trusted colleague at the department, school, or campus level.
  • Bring the matter to the attention of someone in a position of authority such as your supervisor, program director, graduate advisor, departmental chair, or – if the person involved is the supervisor, advisor or chair – the appropriate associate dean or HR representative.
  • Seek out advice from the Ombuds Office.
  • Confer with Hostile and Intimidating Behavior (HIB) liaisons for guidance about filing a complaint.
    • Definition of hostile and intimidating behavior —sometimes known by the shorthand term “bullying.” This is defined in university policy as “unwelcome behavior pervasive or severe enough that a reasonable person would find it hostile and/or intimidating and that does not further the University’s academic or operational interests.”

Policies

Graduate students:

  • Specific grievance processes for graduate students — see policy

MD students:

  • Specific grievance processes for MD students — refer to current edition of MD Program Student Handbook

DPT, MGCS, PA, MPH students:

  • Specific grievance processes for Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Genetic Counselor Studies, Master of Physician Assistant Studies, and Master of Public Health Programs students — see policy

Staff

In some situations, informal conflict resolution can be an effective measure. The following are examples of informal approaches:

  • Directly approach the individual whose behavior is unwelcome. Tell them how their behavior affected you and tell them that you don’t want it to happen again.
  • Ask for an intermediary to approach the individual on your behalf. This could be a trusted colleague at the department, school, or campus level.
  • Bring the matter to the attention of someone in a position of authority such as your supervisor, program director, graduate advisor, departmental chair, or – if the person involved is the supervisor, advisor or chair – the appropriate associate dean or HR representative.
  • Seek out advice from the Ombuds Office.
  • Confer with Hostile and Intimidating Behavior (HIB) liaisons for guidance about filing a complaint.
    • Definition of hostile and intimidating behavior —sometimes known by the shorthand term “bullying.” This is defined in university policy as “unwelcome behavior pervasive or severe enough that a reasonable person would find it hostile and/or intimidating and that does not further the University’s academic or operational interests.”
  • Build skill and comfort in conflict resolution via professional development offered through UW–Madison, UW Health, professional societies, and other resources. While lifelong learning is this area is important for every individual in the school, SMPH leaders in particular are advised and encouraged to continually deepen competency in preventing and resolving conflict by engaging in development opportunities and seeking counsel from subject matter experts.
  • The SMPH Employment Relations team is available to discuss matters involving SMPH employees and can be contacted at smph-employmentrelations@med.wisc.edu.

Policies

Academic staff, including CHS and CT track faculty:

  • Specific grievance processes for academic staff — see policy

University staff:

  • Specific grievance processes for university staff — see policy

Faculty

In some situations, informal conflict resolution can be an effective measure. The following are examples of informal approaches:

  • Directly approach the individual whose behavior is unwelcome. Tell them how their behavior affected you and tell them that you don’t want it to happen again.
  • Ask for an intermediary to approach the individual on your behalf. This could be a trusted colleague at the department, school, or campus level.
  • Bring the matter to the attention of someone in a position of authority such as your supervisor, program director, graduate advisor, departmental chair, or – if the person involved is the supervisor, advisor or chair – the appropriate associate dean or HR representative.
  • Seek out advice from the Ombuds Office.
  • Confer with Hostile and Intimidating Behavior (HIB) liaisons for guidance about filing a complaint.
    • Definition of hostile and intimidating behavior —sometimes known by the shorthand term “bullying.” This is defined in university policy as “unwelcome behavior pervasive or severe enough that a reasonable person would find it hostile and/or intimidating and that does not further the University’s academic or operational interests.”
  • Build skill and comfort in conflict resolution via professional development offered through UW–Madison, UW Health, professional societies, and other resources. While lifelong learning is this area is important for every individual in the school, SMPH leaders in particular are advised and encouraged to continually deepen competency in preventing and resolving conflict by engaging in development opportunities and seeking counsel from subject matter experts.
  • The SMPH Employment Relations team is available to discuss matters involving SMPH employees and can be contacted at smph-employmentrelations@med.wisc.edu.

Policies

Faculty:

  • Specific grievance processes for tenure-track faculty— see policy

CHS and CT faculty should see Staff

Anonymity

In some cases, anonymity is desired when reporting an issue. There are limitations about what can and cannot arise from anonymous complaints. In general, anonymous complaints help lead to a central understanding of potential organizational or unit climate issues over time, but prevent follow-up on specific situations.

Due to state and federal laws, anonymity is not possible for certain matters such as sexual harassment, sexual violence, child abuse or neglect, and crimes occurring on university property. Individuals designated as Responsible Employees at UW–Madison have mandatory reporting requirements in these areas, as described by the UW–Madison Office of Compliance. Read more