Confidential support for staff

Members of the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) have access to a staff advocate and our Member Advisory Committee who can help with:

• Confidential work-related advice
• Questions about Waterloo policies
• Navigating employment processes
• Referrals to campus resources
• Providing a safe space to talk about a situation
• Understanding your options, both formal and informal

You are always the one in the driver’s seat making the decisions for your situation, and our assistance is always confidential.

Because we are not your employer, we are a safe space to have discussions around whatever challenges you may be facing. Our obligations to report workplace situations are different than the University’s—we are here solely to help you and your colleagues.

This committee includes the UWSA Staff Advocacy Officer, President, Past President or President-elect, and Operations and Engagement Advisor. Committee members support individual staff and the committee reviews member cases to ensure that adequate support, guidance, and advocacy are in place for members. 

Our member advocacy case files are stored securely and separately from University systems, and accessible only to staff on our Member Advisory Committee.

When more than one member involved in a workplace situation seeks support from the UWSA, we take additional steps to protect each member’s confidentiality, such as assigning a different committee member to support each person and limiting access to information.