Under the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy
Purpose
This is the Procedure under the Harassment and Discrimination Prevention and Response Policy (the “Policy”) for making a Complaint about individual1 Harassment, Discrimination, and Reprisals in the University’s living, learning, or working environments so it can be appropriately addressed by the University.
Individuals who do not allege that they have experienced Discrimination, Harassment or Reprisal but witnesses or become aware of such behaviour do not file Complaints but should refer to the Harassment & and Discrimination Reporting Procedure.
If a matter relates to Sexual Harassment or another form of sexual violence (as defined in the Policy on Sexual Violence Involving Queen’s University Students), and involves a student, a Complaint under this Procedure should not be filed; rather, the procedure set out in the Policy on Sexual Violence Involving Queen’s University Students must be followed.
To file a complaint, or for FAQs and training modules, click here.
Capitalized terms in this Procedure are defined in the Policy.
Procedure
Where, how and when to submit a Complaint
1. Complaints shall be directed to the Office of Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion). If the Complaint alleges conduct of an employee(s) in the Office of the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion), the Complaint shall be made to the Office of General Counsel and the investigation procedure will be adjusted with the role of the Chair of the Intake Assessment Team being fulfilled by an individual appointed by General Counsel.
2. Upon receipt of a Complaint, the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) (or General Counsel if applicable per #1 above) will assemble the Intake Assessment Team promptly to determine whether the matter will be referred for investigation and if so, to determine the appropriate Receiving Office.
3. Complaints should be made as soon as possible following the incident(s) to which they relate and normally within one year after the incident(s) to which the Complaint relates.
4. A Complaint must contain a detailed account of all facts alleged and must attach any documents on which the Complainant(s) relies and to which they have access, and if possible, list other relevant documents of which they are aware but to which they don’t have access. A Complaint should be made using the appropriate form available on the website of the Office of the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion).
Complaint intake and streaming
5. Subject to applicable law that might require an investigation, the Intake Assessment Team may decline to refer a Complaint for investigation if:
a. The Complaint is about a matter or issues not governed by the Policy;
b. The Complaint is based on alleged facts that, if proven to be true, would not constitute Harassment, Discrimination, or a Reprisal;
c. the substance of the Complaint is already the subject matter of another internal University proceeding (e.g., a grievance under a collective agreement);
d. the Complaint does not contain sufficient information. The Chair of the Intake Assessment Team may appoint a member of the Team to make appropriate follow-up inquiries and to report back to the Team to determine if the Complaint, amended with additional information, should be referred for investigation;
e. the Complaint is made more than one year after the incident(s) to which the Complaint relates. The Intake Assessment Team may accept a Complaint after the one-year period, if it is satisfied that the delay was incurred in good faith and no substantial prejudice will result to any person affected by the delay;
f. the Respondent is no longer a member of the University Community. The Intake Assessment Team may accept a Complaint in these circumstances, which it will assess on a case-by-case basis. The University’s ability to investigate may be limited in such circumstances.
6. If the Intake Assessment Team decides not to refer a Complaint for investigation, the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) will, on behalf of the Intake Assessment Team, advise the Complainant(s) in writing:
a. of the reason(s) that the Intake Assessment Team decided not to refer the Complaint for investigation;
b. that the Intake Assessment Team will reconsider its decision if the Complainant(s) submits substantive new factual information; and,
c. about appropriate alternative(s) for seeking recourse or support.3
7. Subject to any right to file a grievance under an applicable collective agreement the Intake Assessment Team’s decision is otherwise final and is not appealable.
8. Complaints that the Intake Assessment Team refers for investigation will normally be referred as follows:
a. to the Office of Complaints and Investigations if the Complaint involves a Respondent(s) who is not a student (subject to (b) below), to be investigated in accordance with the Investigation Process below;
b. to the Office of Complaints and Investigations if the Complaint involves a Respondent(s) who is a Medical Trainee (i.e., medical “Resident”) enrolled in the School of Medicine Postgraduate Medical Education Program;
c. to the Non‐Academic Misconduct Intake Office (“NAMIO”), for investigation in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and its Procedures, if the Complaint involves a student Respondent(s), except if the Respondent is a medical Resident per (b) above.
d. if the Complaint involves a Respondent(s) who is both a student and an employee, the Intake Assessment Team will determine which office (i.e., the Office of Complaints & Investigations or the Student Conduct Office) will be the lead office for investigation and the Complaint will be referred to that office;3 and,
e. to Campus Security and Emergency Services for investigation in accordance with that office’s normal practices and procedures if the Complaint involves a Respondent(s) who is a visitor.
Record Keeping and Reporting
9. The Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) will keep a record of all Complaints for the purpose of administering the Policy and this Procedure and for the purpose of reporting on statistics and trends.
10. The Receiving Office creates a Complaint file that will include all related communications, memoranda, reports, statements, and evidence. The Receiving Office is responsible for securing the file and all documentation in the file and for the retention and disposition of the file in accordance with its processes and record retention schedule(s).
11. The Receiving Office will report back to the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) as to the disposition of the Complaint.
Investigation Process
This investigation process applies to referrals made under paragraph 8(a) and (b) above. It will also apply to referrals made under paragraph 8(d) if the Intake Assessment Team determines that the Complaints & Investigations Office will be the lead office for the purpose of investigating.
12. Interim Measures: Upon receiving a referral from the Intake Assessment Team, interim measures may be put in place in accordance with the rules (including any collective agreement requirements) that apply to the Receiving Office.
13. It will normally be appropriate to ensure a Complainant is not required to interact with the Respondent(s) until the investigation is concluded and an is outcome determined. Additional interim measures can be implemented subsequently, if the Receiving Office determines they are reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances.
Early Resolution
14. Early Resolution: The Intake Assessment Team will consider whether it would be appropriate for the Receiving Office to attempt an early resolution of a matter. The Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) will indicate this in the written referral to the Receiving Office.
15. . An early resolution can be pursued at any point after a Complaint is referred for investigation if both the Complaint and Respondent are willing to participate, and it is appropriate to do so. At a minimum, an attempt at early resolution will include fact finding, with the Receiving Office meeting with each of the Complainant(s) and Respondent(s).
16. . If an early resolution is reached, the terms of the resolution will be formalized in writing and the Receiving Office will provide the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) with a brief written summary of the terms of resolution as part of the reporting back requirement in paragraph 10 above.
17. If an early resolution is not reached within a reasonable time (normally within 30 calendar days after the referral to investigation, but this may vary depending on the complexity of the case), the Receiving Office will proceed to conduct a formal investigation of the Complaint.
18. To ensure that any pre-complaint, alternative resolution, and early resolution discussions are full and complete, those discussions may not be referenced or relied on during the investigation process or thereafter. This restriction does not apply when investigating an alleged breach of a previously reached resolution.
19. Individuals involved in any pre-complaint, alternative resolution and early resolution discussions shall not conduct any investigation into the matter, and if interviewed as part of the investigation, shall not reference those discussions during the investigation process or thereafter.
20. Investigation: The Receiving Office will establish an investigation process that is appropriate in the circumstances, considering the nature of the allegations and the severity of the conduct described in the Complaint, and any applicable procedural rules, guidelines, or best practices to be followed.
21. The Receiving Office will review the collective agreement(s) that apply to anyone involved in the investigation and will ensure that the required procedures are followed (for example, some collective agreements contain specific procedural rights that govern the steps to be followed in the investigation).
22. The investigation may be conducted by an internal or external investigator. In either case, an investigation will be conducted by an impartial, objective, and trained/experienced individual.
23. The Receiving Office or the person designated under a collective agreement, will provide the Complainant(s) and Respondent(s) with a written notice of investigation.
24. The notice of investigation to the Complainant(s) and the Respondent(s) will indicate who will conduct the investigation. The notice of investigation will advise the person of their right to bring a Support Person and/or an Advisor to any meeting with the investigator.
25. The notice of investigation to the Respondent(s) will also include the name of the Complainant(s) and a summary of the allegations in the Complaint (e.g., details about who, what, when, where) that is sufficiently detailed to permit the Respondent(s) to prepare a response and determine what, if any, witnesses the investigator should be made aware of.
26. The notice of investigation will also include any additional information required by any applicable collective agreement.
27. The investigator will ensure the individuals involved in an investigation, and their respective bargaining agent(s) if applicable, are informed of the investigation process.
28. Depending upon the nature of the allegations and the severity of the conduct described in the Complaint, and subject to any requirements in an applicable collective agreement, the investigator may conduct in‐person interviews or may request written statements from all interviewees, including the Respondent(s), in lieu of in‐person interviews.
29. Support Persons and Advisors: A “Support Person” is an individual whose role is to provide emotional support and assistance. An “Advisor” is a more formal type of Support Person, such as a legal counsel, a union representative for bargaining unit members, or other similar representative.
30. Individuals who attend an interview with the investigator may be accompanied by a Support Person and an Advisor.
a. Individuals who attend an interview with a Support Person and/or an Advisor must give the investigator sufficient notice of their name(s) prior to the interview so the investigator can confirm whether there is a potential conflict of interest (e.g., someone the investigator intends to interview), in which case someone else will have to be chosen.
b. During an interview, Support Persons and Advisors are permitted to ask questions regarding the investigation process but are not permitted to answer the investigator’s questions (individuals who are being interviewed must answer the interview questions themselves), make legal submissions or arguments on behalf of the individual, or disrupt the interview.
c. Exceeding their role or disrupting the interview will result in a Support Person or Advisor being excused from the interview.
d. Where interviewees require accommodation afforded by the Ontario Human Rights Code, when contacted by the investigator they must advise the investigator of their needs and the interview will not occur until the accommodations have been arranged.
31. An investigator will determine whether, on a balance of probabilities, the alleged conduct occurred. If mandated to do so, the investigator will also determine whether the facts as found support a conclusion that the Policy was breached.
32. Otherwise, subject to the terms and conditions of any relevant collective agreement, the appropriate Person(s) of Authority will determine whether the Policy was breached. This determination will be made based on facts found by the investigator.
33. The investigator will provide a written report to the Receiving Office.
34. The Receiving Office will ensure that the investigator’s report is brought to the attention of, and reviewed by, the appropriate Person(s) of Authority with respect to appropriate corrective measures, if any, to be taken, including measures aimed at preventing Reprisal where appropriate.
35. When an Employee is found to have breached the Policy, corrective measures may include non-disciplinary actions (e.g., education or counselling) and/or disciplinary measures (e.g., a verbal or written warning, a suspension, or termination). Any corrective measures imposed shall be implemented in accordance with applicable collective agreement requirements.
36. The Person of Authority and/or the Receiving Office will also ensure reasonable steps are taken to prevent a recurrence.
37. The Receiving Office will ensure that all Complainants and Respondents are informed, in writing, of the outcome of the investigation, and any corrective action taken. When the Respondent(s) is an employee or a medical Resident, the Receiving Office will consult with the responsible administrative office to ensure that such information is provided in accordance with the procedural requirements of any relevant policy or collective agreement and any applicable laws.
38. Investigation reports are confidential and are not shared with Complainants or Respondents unless an administrative process (e.g., a grievance under an applicable collective agreement) requires otherwise.
39. Systemic Discrimination: If it is determined by an investigator or the Receiving Office that Discrimination occurred, the investigator or Receiving Office will also provide their opinion as to whether the Discrimination was the product of Systemic Discrimination, as defined in the Policy. If so, they will provide the Vice‐Principal (Culture, Equity, and Inclusion) with a separate report regarding the Systemic Discrimination who will forward that separate report to the appropriate Vice-Principal for inquiry pursuant to the Reporting Procedure.
40. Confidentiality: personal information collected under this procedure is confidential and will only be used and/or disclosed to investigate, take corrective action, protect health and safety, manage chronic mental stress claims, to administer human resources and labour relations matters, and, to administer the Policy and its purpose.
41. The University’s commitment to confidentiality also means that:
a. documents created under this procedure will be maintained in secure files;
b. documents related to the Complaint will not be included in the personnel file of any employee Complainant;
c. except for any discipline measures imposed (e.g., verbal/written warning(s), letter(s) of discipline, etc.) documents related to the Complaint will not be included in the personnel file of any employee Respondent(s);
d. only authorized individuals will have access to documents created under this Procedure, on a need-to-know basis; and,
e. reasonable steps will be taken to protect against unauthorized access to electronic documents.
42. All individuals involved in an investigation process will be advised of their duty to maintain the confidentiality of all information disclosed to them or by them, including any personal information.
Complaint Procedure Flowchart
| Date Approved | May 7, 2021 |
| Approval Authority | Senior Leadership Team |
| Date of Commencement | September 1, 2021 |
| Amendment Dates | |
| Date for Next Review | |
| Related Policies, Procedures and Guidelines |
[1] For matters dealing with Systemic Discrimination, see the Reporting Procedure