Policies

Policies

As an FAS staff member, your work and interactions at the FAS are guided by FAS and University-wide policies, which operate alongside the personnel manual and union contracts. In addition, some policies apply specifically to faculty and instructors, and to researchers. 

If you are unsure which rules apply in a specific situation, please contact your HR Consultant. You can also report compliance issues via the Compliance Hotline.

  • FAS Sexual And Gender-Based Harassment Policy and Procedures. The FAS Policy adopts and expands on the University Title IX Policy, and incorporates the University Procedures. Additional information on what to do if someone approaches you with a Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment disclosure is available here. You can find more information on Harvard's Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities website.
  • Harvard’s Policies on Non-Discrimination and Anti-Bullying (NDAB). Effective September 1, 2023, Harvard implemented new and amended policies concerning discrimination and bullying, available on the Provost’s Office website. Related to these policies, the FAS has designated individuals, referred to as Local Designated Resources (LDRs), to serve as a resource for receiving reports and complaints, directing community members to resources, and providing information on supportive measures. Find additional information at the Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities website.
  • Harvard Conflict of Interest or Commitment. This policy applies to all employees, including non-teaching exempt staff, and overtime eligible non-bargaining unit staff. Bargaining unit members should consult their collective bargaining agreement. Additional conflict of interest or commitment policies may also apply. 
  • Policy for the Safety and Protection of Minors. This University-wide policy includes guidelines for interactions with minors; the requirement to report any instance of suspected abuse or neglect of a minor; education for those who interact with minors and those who oversee programs for minors; and background screening for those in certain positions of responsibility for minors in University programs. More information on minors-related policies is available in the minors section below.
  • Non-Retaliation Policy. The University expressly forbids anyone to take any form of retaliatory action against any member of the Harvard community who in good faith voices concerns, seeks advice, files a complaint or grievance, seeks the aid of Human Resources, testifies or participates in investigations, compliance reviews, proceedings, or hearings, or opposes actual or perceived violations of Harvard University’s policy or unlawful acts.

Resources

For more information about policies and related resources:

  • Harvie: University-wide policies at a glance covering finance, information security, use of the Harvard name, union contracts, the personnel manual, and more.
  • Office of the Provost: A comprehensive list of University-wide policies.
  • Financial Policy Office: University-wide financial policies including accounting, payments, tax, travel, and reimbursement policies.
  • Staff Personnel Manual: The Harvard University Personnel Manual provides general policy guidelines for employment, benefits, salary administration, and services available to staff members.
  • Temps and Less Than Half Time Employees: This document provides a summary and overview of the most recent modifications to the Policy Guidelines for hiring Temps and Less Than Half Time Employees.
  • Massachusetts Workplace Poster Requirements: Employers in Massachusetts are required to post the notices listed on the MA Workplace Poster Requirements page. This page is provided as a convenience, but may not be comprehensive.

Minors-Related Policy Resources and Contacts

Contacts

Harvard University Youth Protection Officer: 
Eliza  Brown (Interim)
(617) 496-5774
eliza_brown@harvard.edu

FAS Tub Sponsoring Officers (TSOs):

  • The College and Phillips Brooks House: Varsha Ghosh
  • Academic Department and Labs: Jennifer Shephard
  • Athletics: Duane Reeves
  • DCE: Rob Neugeboren      
  • FAS HR: Jennifer Callahan

Resources

FAS Specific Minors Background Screening Documents and Information (TSO and Program Administrator use only): Please find below documents and information for FAS TSOs and FAS Program Administrators to use to for those individuals that require background screening under the Harvard Policy for the Safety and Protection of Minors. 

  • Minors Policy Background Screening FAS Flow Chart: Overview of the process flow for Minors Background Screening.
  • CORI Acknowledgement Form (Minors policy): Program Administrators must provide the CORI Acknowledgment Form to those who have been identified as Responsible Adults, in their program, for completion.  Only those responsible adults staying overnight in dorms/houses OR working in a recreational camp are required to have a CORI as part of their required background screening. Program Administrators must submit the completed form to FAS Recruitment Services at recruitment@fas.harvard.edu.  This form must be submitted in order to initiate the CORI prior to commencing work in a youth-serving program at Harvard.  Note that Responsible Adults working for a vendor do not need to fill out this Form: under the Policy, vendors are responsible for screening their employees and certifying their compliance to the Program Administrator.
  • Minors Policy Background Screening FAS FAQ
  • Sample Emails (to be used by TSOs and / or Program Administrators for background screening communications): Included are sample email messages for the TSO and Program Administrators to send regarding the FAS background screening process.
  • Minors Policy Background Screening FAS Questionnaire (to be completed by Program Administrators at time of background screening request): Program Administrators must return this completed form along with the completed CORI Acknowledgment Form (if CORI is required) to FAS Talent Acquisition Services, talentacquisition@fas.harvard.edu. This form must be submitted in order to receive a required background screen prior to commencing work in a youth-serving program at Harvard. Note that Responsible Adults working for a vendor do not need to fill out this Form: under the Policy, vendors are responsible for screening their employees and certifying their compliance to the Program Administrator.