Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is civil rights legislation that works to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment.
The ADA and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) give civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA and ADAAA also assure equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities for access to businesses, employment, transportation, state and local government programs and services, and telecommunications.
Employees can send an email to employeerelations@uams.edu for assistance on initiating the ADA interactive process.
Initiating the ADA Interactive Meeting Process
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy
Affirmative Action/EEO
It is the policy of UAMS to provide equal opportunity to all applicants and employees consistent with all legal protections offered by state and federal laws. This is applicable to all phases of employment to include hiring, promotion, transfer, and treatment of UAMS employee.
This office is responsible for ensuring compliance with our Affirmative Action Plans. These plans guide our institutions commitment to diversity and fairness regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin or veteran status and prohibits discrimination in all employment transactions.
We must comply with Federal Regulations and the affirmative action plan offers our campus a management tool. The plans serve as a guide in monitoring progress and developing operational processes to enhance equal opportunity in all sectors of employment.
Employees can send questions to employeerelations@uams.edu.
Affirmative Action Laws and Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity Notice – Posting Requirements
Complaint Reporting
UAMS is committed to providing a workplace environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community. The ability of UAMS to meet its mission will increasingly depend on, and be strengthened by, incorporating constructive diversity and inclusion in its employees and students. i-safe is an all-inclusive incident reporting system that provides a confidential, safe way to report incidents involving sexual harassment or gender discrimination, discrimination or discriminatory harassment, and professional misconduct. i-safe also provides information regarding the student complaint process, UAMS Police Department, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Launch the i-safe reporting system
Conflict Resolution/Mediation
Conflict can be managed and resolved. Employee Relations or Organizational Development will provide assistance in mediating such conflicts for a quick resolution to promote an inclusive and respectful work environment.
Corrective Actions
The Employee Discipline Policy, Administrative Guide 4.4.02, provides appropriate steps to take when an employee demonstrates substandard performance, misconduct, or other offenses that violate UAMS rules, regulations, or policies.
The Employee Relations team is a resource for supervisors and/or employees who may face a situation involving corrective action up to and including disciplinary action. The team will provide consult and guidance during the review process. We will review guidelines established for fair and just analysis and management of errors or unsafe acts that may occur in the workplace.
The following tools will assist you in documenting and executing various corrective actions:
Counseling Session Template Updated October 2021
Employee Disciplinary Notice Updated September 2021
Employee Disciplinary Action Repository – Managers Only
Discipline- Required Supportive Documentation October 2021
Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) Please Contact Employee Relations for Guidance in Use of PIP
Resignation Notice & Supervisor Acceptance – in Lieu of Dismissal
Suspension & Administrative Leave Notice
Suspension & Administrative Leave Notice – Faculty
Voluntary Resignation Notice & Supervisor Acceptance
Drug Testing
The University of Arkansas for Medical Science supports the concept of a drug-free workplace, as enacted by the federal Drug-free Workplace Act of 1988 and by the State of Arkansas Executive Order OE-89-2, issued March 30, 1989. The University will also comply with applicable state laws and regulations. As part of our commitment to providing a drug-free workplace, UAMS has established a drug testing program that consists of (1) pre-employment drug testing, (2) for-cause drug testing, and (3) random drug testing. Reference the Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy, Administrative Guide 3.1.14, for additional information.
Pre-employment and random drug tests will be performed on individuals who are considered for employment and employed in positions that have been designated as safety sensitive positions.
For-cause drug tests will be performed on any employee who is suspected of being in an impaired state while on duty.
The Employee Relations team provides oversight for managing the processes for the random and for-cause (reasonable suspicion) drug testing.
For-Cause Authorization Form (includes detailed steps for initiating for-cause drug testing)
Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy – Administrative Guide 3.1.14
Drug Free Schools and Communities
Impaired Employee EAP Referral Process – March 1, 2022
Employee Separation
Department managers, supervisors, or designees must complete the employee separation process in the payroll system in a timely manner. This is to ensure UAMS is complaint in accordance with Administrative Guide 4.5.16, Employee Separation Policy. This entails ensuring all UAMS property is returned (including id badges) relative to voluntary or involuntary employee terminations. Should the employee fail to return these items, deductions may be made from the employee’s final paycheck to cover the assessed value of equipment and other fees.
Board Policy 405.6 Termination and Eligibility for Rehire
Employee Separation – Administrative Guide 4.5.16
Unreturned Badge ID and Asset Valuation Process Fee Procedure
Unreturned Property Asset Valuation Request Form
Separation Policy Procedures for Supervisors: Course Code UAMS_4800
Knowledge Article “Employee Separation Process”
Exit Survey (Participants – Voluntary departing faculty and staff)
In the spirit of continuous improvement, effective February 2, 2022, UAMS began conducting Exit Surveys for all voluntary departing faculty and staff. A third-party platform, People Element, will initiate an invitation for survey participation in order to collect valuable feedback for UAMS.
The Exit Survey is a formal, structured questionnaire that offers opportunities for UAMS to assess overall work experiences for departments, faculty and staff. People Element will send an invite (via email, phone, or text) to request participation in completing the survey.
This feedback will allow UAMS to hear the collective voice of our workforce and take targeted action. In addition, the feedback will be used by UAMS to:
- Make UAMS a better place to work
- Identify what drive faculty and staff to be engaged
- Improve faculty and staff retention
- Promote organizational effectiveness
Survey Flyer- Employee Separation Process
Grievances
Supervisors and employees should try to resolve workplace problems or disputes initially by talking directly with the employee. However, there are some instances that cannot be resolved solely with the supervisor. Please refer to the below policy and send an email to employeerelations@uams.edu with questions regarding the grievance process, after your review of the policy.
Employee Grievance – Administrative Guide Policy 4.4.16
Faculty Grievance – Administrative Guide 12.5.01
UASP 405.6 Termination of Employment
Posting Requirements
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) requires UAMS to have updated federal and state posters/notices posted in all buildings where UAMS employees work. This includes buildings on and off campus, including Regional Programs sites and all buildings owned by UAMS and/or in which space is used by UAMS. These posters should be placed conspicuously in areas where employees and applicants may readily observe them, such as a hallway or a break room.
Click on link below to access required postings.
Equal Employment Opportunity Notice – Posting Requirements
Sexual Harassment – Title IX and Title VII
All employees have a right to work in an environment free of discrimination, which includes freedom from harassment. UAMS takes the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff, non-employees, guests and visitors seriously. Title IX and Title VII compliance is essential to ensuring and promoting a safe and secure environment, optimum for learning, research and creative work. Reporting sexual misconduct is critical to UAMS’ timely response to eliminate harassment, prevent recurrences, and address its effects.
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Learn more about Title IX here.
Training
The Employee Relations team has trainings that will assist leaders with understanding the expectations regarding compliance with Federal and State employment laws, UAMS policies and related U of A System policies. It is imperative that consistent application is present in the investigation process to include understanding of management needs and employee rights.
Those individuals in supervisory roles are encouraged to work proactively by taking available trainings in advance of employee behavior related incidents to ensure understanding of clear expectations.
Employee Relations has developed four new “Just In Time” (JIT) 20 minute trainings for leaders. These trainings entail what every supervisor needs to know. Completion of these trainings will equip leaders with knowledge and understanding on how to be more proactive, in advance of an employee related incident. The trainings guide supervisors, step-by-step, on how to understand and address those challenging Employee Relations matters.
- When Should you Conduct a Coaching or Counseling Session
- Effective Documentation
- Writing Effective Disciplinary Notices
- Conducting Workplace Investigations
Please click here for more information on available trainings offered by Employee Relations.
Unemployment Insurance Claims
You are covered under Arkansas employment security law for unemployment benefits. You may be eligible to receive benefits due to the loss of your job or changes in your normal work hours. The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS) administers this program and facilitates employer compliance with the Arkansas Employment Security Law.
Click on the link below to obtain information regarding filing an unemployment claim.