Madison Reporter

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is set to implement a new, unified Hostile & Intimidating Behavior (HIB) Policy starting February 3. This initiative consolidates three separate policies that previously applied to faculty, academic staff, and university staff into a single institutional-level policy.

The move towards a unified policy began in 2023 under the direction of UW-Madison’s executive leadership. The goal was to ensure that all employees are both protected from and held accountable for HIB violations. Previously, investigations were often conducted locally as units were not required to refer complaints to Workforce Relations in the Office of Human Resources (OHR-WR). With the new policy, formal investigations will be managed by the university’s Office of Compliance.

In early 2024, the team responsible for drafting the policy engaged with executive committees from each employee governance group to discuss drafts and guidance documents. Feedback from executive leadership, governance representatives, HR partners, and HIB liaisons was incorporated into the final version of the policy.

Jaimee Gilford, director of the Office of Compliance, stated: “UW-Madison is constantly looking at ways to improve administrative policies and apply them more equitably for all employees.” She added that having a dedicated team trained in investigating HIB cases ensures consistent application across the institution.

The OHR remains integral in preventing and responding to HIB issues by supporting employees and facilitating informal resolutions. It also receives final investigative reports from the Office of Compliance and participates in post-investigative disciplinary processes aligned with existing governance policies.

Appeals against outcomes of HIB investigations can be directed to the Office of the Provost. Any disciplinary actions resulting from investigations will continue under each governance group’s current disciplinary or grievance procedures.