Employee Concerns

JSU values our diverse employee and student populations which contribute to the locally and globally engaged student-centered public teaching university. An Employee's dedication and hard work is vital to the education, research, and  mission of JSU.  Given the vast and diverse populations, employees may encounter some concerns in the workplace. Should this occur, please notify the Department of Human Resources for assistance.

JSU promotes a culturally diverse and inclusive working and learning environment where current and prospective faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and valued for their individuality.

If any applicant, employee, or student has a good faith belief that they have been discriminated against or harassed based on age, color, disability, gender, marital status, ethnic/national origin, race, religion, retaliation, sexual harassment, or any other protected category, the Office of Human Resources encourages him/her to file a complaint.

Jacksonville State University wishes to resolve as early as possible any disagreement that may arise between employees and supervisors. So that each side in a dispute will be heard and considered, JSU has implemented the Grievance Policy. For more information, see Grievance Policy.

Harassment is a form of discrimination that encompasses unwelcome conduct based on a person’s protected status. Harassment in violation of JSU policy and depends on the totality of the circumstances, including the nature, frequency, and duration of the conduct in question, the location and context in which it occurs, and the status of the individuals involved. Harassing behaviors may include, but are not limited to:
  • Conduct, whether verbal, physical, written, graphic, or electronic that threatens, intimidates, offends, belittles, denigrates, or shows an aversion toward an individual or group.
  • Epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, jokes, or nicknames.
  • Written, printed, or graphic material that contains offensive, denigrating, or demeaning comments or pictures.
  • The display of offensive, denigrating, or demeaning objects, e-mails, text messages, or cell phone images.

If any student, employee, or applicant has a good faith belief that they have been harassed or discriminated against by an employee based on age, color, disability, gender, marital status, military status, national origin, race, religion, or any other protected category, the Department of Human Resources encourages them to file a complaint. The Director of Human Resources will investigate the complaint in accordance with university policy and procedures. For more information, see the Sexual Harassment Policy.

Members of the Jacksonville State University (JSU) Community, guests and visitors have a right to be free from all forms of gender and sex-based discrimination, examples of which include, but are not limited to, acts of sexual violence, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or discrimination based upon their gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, or retaliation for reporting the same. All members of the University community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others. JSU has a zero tolerance policy for gender-based misconduct and will promptly investigate all allegations brought to the attention of University administrators. Where individuals are found to be in violation of this policy, appropriate sanctions will be imposed.

This policy has been developed to reaffirm the University’s commitment to maintaining a safe campus community and to provide proper recourse for those individuals whose rights have been violated. The enforcement procedures utilized in implementing this policy balance the rights of victims, complainants, an accused and witnesses.

As the JSU administration is currently structured, the University’s Title IX Coordinator, the Vice President of Student Affairs, is responsible for implementation and application of this policy. For more information, visit the Title IX website.