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September 23, 2011
President Loh's Diamondback Message: A Safe Workplace: Everybody's Business
The University of Maryland is a world-class public research university with a community of outstanding faculty and staff. As a premier institution, we promote a healthy and respectful work environment for everyone. It is not only the law, it is the right thing to do.
Last spring, several workplace concerns of staff members were brought to my attention. In response, I took action to investigate them and the university is now taking the steps to resolve them individually and systemically.
We want to assure all employees, faculty and staff at all levels that they are in a safe work environment. They must be treated fairly and have the freedom to concentrate on getting their jobs done. It means they must feel their expertise and input are valued, and that competitive opportunities for advancement are present.
A safe work environment requires that when these workplace essentials are not in place, affected employees have appropriate and protected channels for recourse. They must be able to share their concerns and know these concerns will be heard and addressed without retribution. They must have the confidence that the system works. This is a work environment that I believe in and that I expect of everyone.
Assuring a safe and respectful work environment is not just an administrative function. It is everyone's business. We must all take personal and professional steps to assure a safe and respectful environment for ourselves and our colleagues. We must all be vigilant in observing and reporting inappropriate behavior because when we commit to doing so, we all win.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." We are committed to embodying that change.
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