Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Issued February 14, 1969;

Revised, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1985

Objective

To set, define, and communicate broadly the policy of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, concerning fair employment practices and equal employment opportunity for all UTK employees and applicants for UTK employment.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, offers equal employment opportunity to all its employees and to all applicants for UTK employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or veteran status, as required by federal, state, and local laws, executive orders, and regulations pertaining to fair employment practices. UTK is also prepared to make reasonable accommodations to allow employment of handicapped individuals and for religious observances of employees and applicants for employment. Additionally, sexual harassment is a direct violation of UTK policy. This policy extends to recruitment, employment, promotion, UTK-sponsored training programs, educational opportunities, compensation, leave, tuition assistance, transfers, lay-offs, return from layoffs, demotions, terminations, social and recreational programs, use of University facilities, and treatment as individuals. This policy is binding on all UTK employees engaged in any of the processes or programs listed above.

UTK views this policy as basic to the institutional commitment, not as merely a means of complying with orders, laws, and regulations to which it is subject.

Procedures

1. Advertising copy prepared to announce available positions at UTK shall comply in all regards with federal, state, and local regulations pertaining to equal employment opportunity. In the case of advertisements for faculty and staff-exempt positions, copies of advertisements placed are to be maintained on file by the head of the unit advertising the vacancy. The UTK Personnel Office will place all advertisements for staff non-exempt position vacancies and will maintain on file copies of all such advertisements.
2. Sources of referral utilized by UTK units are to be informed in writing of this policy and UTK’s intention to seek out and employ qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap, or veteran status. A copy of such notification shall be maintained on file by the head of the unit contacting the source of referral, in the case of faculty and staff-exempt positions. The UTK Personnel Office will notify sources of referral for staff non-exempt positions and will maintain on file copies of the notifications.
3. Employment decisions shall be based solely on an individual’s qualifications for the position for which he/she is being considered.
4. Promotions shall be made in accord with the principles of equal employment opportunity. Only valid, job-related requirements for advancement will be established.
5. No employee shall be excluded from participation in any University-sponsored activity or denied the benefits of any University program on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, or veteran status. The University is prepared to make reasonable accommodations to allow participation by the handicapped in its programs, activities, and benefits to make reasonable accommodations for religious observances by its employees.
6. Evaluation of supervisors’ and managers’ work performance will include a review of their equal employment efforts and results, as well as other criteria.
7. Reports required by federal, state, and local agencies with regard to equal employment opportunity and affirmative action shall be submitted by the Office of the Director of Affirmative Action, which office will also maintain such reports on file.

UTK deans, directors, managers, and supervisors shall be apprised of this policy in writing and shall be reminded of its provisions at least once a year. A record shall be made of such notices by the Affirmative Action Director. Employee Handbooks, the Faculty Handbook, and the Affirmative Action Plan, and other appropriate documents shall contain this policy. This policy, and the seven procedures above, shall be posted in conspicuous places throughout the campus and at all locations at which UTK employees are stationed and shall be on file in the offices of all budgetary unit heads.

In support of the intent of this policy, UTK has issued an Affirmative Action Plan. It shall be the responsibility of the Office of the Director of Affirmative Action to monitor the effectiveness of the implementation of this policy by monitoring the provisions of the Affirmative Action Plan.