EDI Help Menu

Resources to help support a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment

The University of Washington serves as a vibrant hub where individuals from diverse backgrounds come together to work, learn, and grow. Recognizing the inherent complexity of our institution, comprised of faculty, staff, students, trainees, and patients, we acknowledge that despite our collective efforts, instances of bias and discrimination may occur. Considering this reality, the purpose of this webpage is to serve as a reference guide to help with accountability and leadership while empowering members of our community to report experiences of bias and discrimination with confidence and clarity. Designed as a dynamic and evolving resource, it outlines pathways for navigating incidents at various levels of our institution, from the broader UW system to the intricate networks within the School of Medicine, the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and the many individual programs within our department. By making this information available, we aspire to cultivate a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement as we work together to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all. 

Use the search function below to explore the resources available to department faculty, staff, students, supervisors, patients, and trainees to help support a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. This may include reporting incidents, seeking information, or requests for resolution. If there are other resources not listed here, any missing information, or incorrect links, please notify the EDI committee at staffedicommittee@uw.edu

Anonymous: most resources and some reporting tools may be accessed without disclosing identifying information such as name, role, or location. However, depending on the information shared, a request or report may become identifiable. In addition, reports which are submitted anonymously may be limited in terms of what can be done in response. 

Confidential: for resources and reporting tools which require the disclosure of identifying information such as name, role, or location, privacy is protected as much as possible. For example, the University strives to limit information about complaints to those with a business need to know. However, public records law and some legal processes may require the University to disclose certain University records. Allegations of serious misconduct (such as theft or discrimination, including sexual harassment) must be reported to the appropriate authority. 

Information-sharing: report an EDI issue or concern anonymously or confidentially for the purpose of raising awareness about what our community is experiencing and advocating for change. Based on the information provided, this may help identify areas needing more investment, training, policy, practice, and process changes. 

Information-seeking: receive general information or specific consultation to support you or someone else to address an EDI issue or concern. This may include communicating with a representative to discuss your concern, possible next steps, and referrals to other resources that may be available to you. 

Resolution: could involve investigation, mediation, or corrective/disciplinary action. Most resources and reporting tools listed here do not perform formal investigations. Responses will vary based on the nature of the incident and can include additional communications with pertinent offices on campus. Disciplinary actions are often confidential and therefore not disclosed back to the reporter. In most cases, the reporting party decides if they want to have a formal investigation initiated. However, there are certain instances (e.g., sexual misconduct, hate crimes) where offices may be compelled by law to report.  

Retaliation protection: University of Washington policy prohibits retaliation against people who bring a complaint or participate in the complaint process. An employee who engages in retaliatory conduct is subject to appropriate corrective action, including dismissal. 

Desired Privacy

Who's it for?

Desired Outcome

Bias Navigator Program

This tool is for Department of Medicine employees only. Navigators are trained individuals dedicated to providing safe, confidential support to help guide Department of Medicine staff, faculty, and trainees through bias incidents they may have experienced.

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

EAP; Free Counseling Services

Washington Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP) provides short-term, solutions-focused counseling services that are easy to access. Your benefits include up to three sessions per concern and covers all your household members. WA EAP can be used multiple times a year if you have a new concern to address. 

Who it's for

  • Staff

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking

EAP; Free Legal Services

The WA Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP) can help with free legal advice from a qualified attorney. Online support is also available with legal forms, a library of legal articles, and even a simple will. Call or go online to get the legal answers you need. 

Who it's for

  • Staff

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking

EAP; Organization Consultation for Supervisors

The WA Employee Assistance Program (WA EAP) provides specific services to supervisors, managers, and HR administrators to help them in their efforts to support their teams and colleagues. WA EAP can provide organizational consultations, referrals to the WA EAP, critical incident response, and tools to promote personal and professional development. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

EDI Council & EDI Staff Committee

The PBSCI Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Council is dedicated to 1) communicating about initiatives and best practices being developed by existing organizations and committees in the department; 2) diversifying the faculty and staff; and 3) promoting  ways to improve the climate of the department. The EDI Staff Committee works to create a safe, inclusive, and diverse environment that supports department staff personally and professionally. They champion organizational change and bring an EDI and anti-racism lens to the department’s work. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing

Desired Privacy

  • Confidential

Employee Experience Toolkit

Professional and Organizational Development has created a set of wrap-around resources for managers to use in skillfully holding thoughtful and intentional conversations with their employees. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D)

The Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity (OMA&D) has its roots in student-led activism and society’s calls for equity and change. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing

Desired Privacy

  • Confidential

Office of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and relevant local, state, and federal law, the University provides individuals with disabilities equal access to programs, services and/or activities. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

Office of the Title IX Coordinator

Title IX and other federal and state laws collectively prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, pregnant or parenting status, and LGBTQ identity. These laws impose legal requirements and protections that serve as a foundation from which UW has created policies, practices, services, and programs that work in concert to advance equity for students, staff, and faculty of all identities. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

Ombuds

The Office of the Ombud serves the UW community by providing high quality, client-focused services for preventing, managing, navigating, and resolving conflict at UW. They act as thought-partners with clients to assist them while navigating issues they are experiencing at UW. Through active participation in the problem-solving process, clients develop the ability to prevent, manage, and resolve future conflicts. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

Patient Relations

Patients or family members may report concerns about the quality of care, safety, or service to any staff member, member of the medical staff, or clinic/unit manager. Patients or family members may also contact Patient Relations to express concerns or to share a compliment.  

Who it's for

  • Patients & Family

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Confidential

SafeCampus

Call no matter where you work or study to anonymously discuss safety and well-being concerns for yourself or others. SafeCampus is the UW’s violence-prevention and response program. We support students, staff, faculty and community members in preventing violence. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

SafetyNet

For concerns related to the treatment or care of an individual patient, please submit a SafetyNet report as there is now a way to identify bias involved in a patient care event using the SafetyNet system (AMC sign-in required). Note: other bias reporting tools cannot contain protected health information (PHI). 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

UCIRO (Civil Rights Investigation Office)

The Civil Rights Investigation Office investigates complaints made about university employees and students that raise concerns relating to civil rights such as protection from discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and sexual misconduct. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

Union Representatives

There are several student, trainee (e.g. Resident and Fellow Physician Union – Northwest), and staff unions that represent the diverse workforce at UW and offer their own incident reporting systems. 

Who it's for

  • Staff

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

UW Bias Tool

This Bias Incident Reporting Tool is for NON-EMERGENCY incidents within the University system. It was created in partnership with the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, the Office of Student Life, and the president’s Race & Equity Initiative. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

UW HR Complaint Resolution with UW HR Consultant

For concerns related to workplace conflict, you can reach out to a human resources (HR) consultant. The conflict may be caused by personality differences, miscommunication, or behaviors that violate University policy such as discrimination or harassment. Though we encourage you to handle interpersonal conflict by speaking directly to the other individual as your first course of action, sometimes you may need support in resolving a situation. The University offers several options for help. University policy prohibits retaliation against people who bring a complaint or participate in the complaint process. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Confidential

UW Medicine Bias Reporting Tool

The Bias Reporting Tool is for sharing incidents of bias including racism, sexism, ableism, discrimination of any form, or other behaviors that do not reflect the prioritization of inclusion and equity expected in all areas of our community.  

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

UW Medicine Compliance

This website provides a central location for accessing information about the wide range of compliance issues that impact UW Medicine. Because many offices are involved in establishing and enforcing institutional policies, they have included resources from central UW administration, UW Health Sciences, UW Medicine, and external regulatory bodies. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Confidential

UW Police Department

Collaborates with our community to create a safe and secure UW campus through education, problem solving, and enforcement. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Patients & Family
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

UW Psychiatry Department HR

Depending on the level of issues or concerns raised and the desire of the person reporting, numerous levels of outcomes could occur such as remaining within the departmental level to involving other offices within the UW system. 

Who it's for

  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Supervisors
  • Trainees

Desired Outcomes

  • Info Seeking
  • Info Sharing
  • Resolution

Desired Privacy

  • Anonymous
  • Confidential