One of the most important aspects of the WID community is creating a work environment that is productive, respectful, and inclusive. We strive to proactively create a great place to work. We also want to make sure that resources are easy to find for all WIDites.
Frequently Asked Questions
The section below includes frequently asked questions about topics like sexual assault, hostile and intimidating behaviors, and conflict resolution. See the full FAQ for other information.
WID
- Jo Handelsman, Director. handelsman@wisc.edu, Room 3110
- Sheila O’Brien, Administrative Associate Director. sgobrien@wisc.edu, Room 3120C
- Johnny Wertz, Human Resources Business Partner. johnny.wertz@wisc.edu, Room 3120D
- https://widkipedia.wid.wisc.edu/positive-work-environment/
- Please contact Sheila or Johnny with additional suggestions
UW-Madison Resources
- Graduate School resources for current students: https://grad.wisc.edu/current-students/ This list is kept up to date, and includes links to offices listed below, as well as resources for inclusion and support, finances and basic needs, opportunities to engage in campus and community, and graduate student policies and procedures.
- The Office of Postdoctoral Studies: https://postdoc.wisc.edu/support/
- UW-Madison Postdoctoral Association: This Association published How to Navigate Workplace Adversity as a Postdoc (2022) with example scenarios and resources
- Dean of Students Office is a primary resource for connecting students who are navigating personal, academic, or health issues, to supportive campus and community resources. The Dean of Students Office also serves as a central location for reporting issues of hate and bias, sexual assault, and hazing. They serve both graduate and undergraduate students. Drop-in appointments are available.
- Ombuds. The Ombuds Office is a confidential, safe place where UW-Madison employees can seek guidance regarding workplace concerns at any time, without fear of reprisal, and at no cost to them.
- Employee Assistance Office Confidential consultation services for employees and their families. They offer a very broad range of services and referrals. Services are confidential (within Federal and State regulations) and free of charge.
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior: https://hr.wisc.edu/hib/campus-resources/ . HIB Liaisons can help connect you to resources, and can be a great place to start if you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed. Addressing HIB has some guidance for both informal and formal approaches. Graduate students have access to assistance as BOTH students and University employees (RA, TA).
- Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program (formerly called the Title IX Program)
- University Health Services Health and well-being services that include medical, mental health, preventive care, and survivor services for graduate and undergraduate students. UHS Mental Health Crisis Support Line (24/7): 608-265-5600 (option 9)
- Student Services list of campus resources: https://www.wisc.edu/student-life/student-services/
- Divisional Disability Representative: it is the policy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of your position, please contact Julia Rielly, Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) at (608) 261-1172 or rielly@wisc.edu. The DDR is the person authorized to receive and maintain confidential medical information in our division. Graduate student employees appointed through other departments should check with their HR to identify their DDR.
Contacts for Graduate Students:
- Graduate Student Support: Elaine Goetz-Berman, egoetz2@wisc.edu, 608-263-5700
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior: Kipp Cox, ervin.cox@wisc.edu, 608-262-2433
- Your graduate program coordinator (PhD, MS)
Contacts for Postdocs:
- Office of Postdoctoral Studies: contact@postdoc.wisc.edu, 608-265-6225
- UW-Madison Postdoctoral Association: uwpa@postdoc.wisc.edu
The Dean of Students Office can assist with students who are displaying behaviors that may interfere with their own success or disrupt the learning of others. Find out more here.
There are many mental health resources available on campus for students and for employees.
Johnny Wertz can also assist with any concerns.
We all experience conflict, and we all can benefit from learning good conflict resolution skills.
The university has a website dedicated to conflict resolution, where you can find many helpful tips and classes.
Your PI may be able to help you resolve the conflict. You can also reach out to Johnny Wertz or Sheila O’Brien.
All UW employees are required to report sexual assaults involving a student.
If you have personally experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking or sexual exploitation, you may want to review information about support resources, protective measures, accommodations, and response options available to you before completing this reporting form.
- UHS Survivor Resources for Students
- Sexual Misconduct Resource and Response Program (previously known as Title IX) Resources For Students
- Resources For Employees
- Title IX Website
- If you then choose to complete the reporting form, you will be contacted by someone from the Title IX Program who will provide you with additional information about resources and response options.
If you are otherwise reporting in compliance with campus requirements, completing this form allows employees to meet the reporting requirements listed below:
- Campus Security Authorities (CSAs) : Designated in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). Required to report certain crimes that occur on campus geography. For information regarding the Clery Act’s Campus Security Authority reporting responsibilities, click here .
- Responsible Employees (REs): Designated in compliance with campus policy. Required to report any information that suggestions a violation of the UW-Madison Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence. For more information regarding RE’s reporting requirements, click here .
- All UW Employees: Required to report sexual assaults involving a student. For information regarding Wisconsin’s sexual assault reporting responsibilities for employees (WI § 36.11(22)(c)), click here .
Hostile and intimidating behavior, sometimes known by the shorthand term “bullying,” 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.” Hostile and intimidating behavior is prohibited by university policy.
You are encouraged to report incidents or concerns to your HR representative, supervisor, manager, department chair, director, or dean, as appropriate under the informal and formal processes.
Find out more here.
Many formal complaint mechanisms do not provide any follow-up information to the complaintant. This may be due to confidentiality concerns.
If you have questions about a complaint you initiated, Johnny Wertz can advise you.
You can talk to Johnny Wertz, Sheila O’Brien, or Jo Handelsman about unresolved problems. We’re here to help.
