Workplace issues can be complex, and you don't have to navigate them alone.
Members of the University of Waterloo Staff Association (UWSA) have access to a staff advocate and our Member Advisory Committee who can provide confidential guidance and support. We'll take time to understand what's happening, help you understand your options, and support you in deciding what comes next.
Start with a conversation
We'll begin with a confidential conversation, in person, on Teams, or by email. You can tell us about your situation, ask questions, and share what outcome you're looking for, if you know. We'll ask questions to better understand what's happening and what support may be helpful.
Understand your options
Depending on your situation, we'll help you understand relevant policies and possible next steps. We may help you identify any immediate safety or wellbeing needs, find more information, or refer you to relevant campus resources. We'll identify options together, and you decide what happens next.
Get support moving forward
Sometimes a conversation is all that's needed. If not, we can continue supporting you as you navigate the situation. That might involve regular check-ins, talking through your options, preparing for meetings, reviewing documentation, attending meetings with you, connecting you with specialized resources, or helping you plan your next steps.
Contact us to get started
Start by contacting our Staff Advocacy Officer, Gail Spencer, or another member of the Member Advisory Committee.
How we can help
Our Member Advisory Committee can support members by:
- Providing confidential advice and guidance
- Explaining University policies and procedures
- Helping you navigate employment processes
- Providing a safe space to talk through a situation
- Helping you understand both formal and informal options
- Referring you to or collaborating with the Office of EDI-R, Conflict Management, or other campus resources
- Helping you prepare for meetings and difficult conversations
- Reviewing documentation and correspondence with you
- Attending meetings with you
You're in control
You are always the one making decisions about your situation. Our role is to help you understand your options, provide support, and help you determine what comes next. Our assistance is confidential, and we only take action with your consent
Beyond individual support
We also help all staff by creating educational resources for all members, identifying workplace trends and bringing concerns to the University, advocating for policy improvements, and filing grievances when appropriate.
The UWSA has intervened on my behalf and made a major difference in my life. I really appreciate what the UWSA does and stands for.
Issues staff commonly contact us about
- Workplace conflict
- Accommodation concerns
- Concerns about workplace treatment
- Policy questions
- Leaves and return-to-work situations
- Discipline or performance concerns
- Workplace or employment changes or transitions
- Human rights-based concerns
- Difficult conversations with supervisors
- Other employment-related concerns
Who's on the Member Advisory Committee?
The 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.
Confidentiality and limitations
Because the UWSA is independent from the University, we provide a confidential space where staff can discuss workplace concerns, ask questions, and explore options. We do not have reporting obligations to the University, and our role is to support staff members and their interests.
- Our member advocacy case files are stored securely and separately from University systems, and accessible only to staff on our Member Advisory Committee. Emails and Teams conversations do use University systems.
- We’ll never take any action without your consent.
- Information about your case may be shared confidentially within our Member Advisory Committee when needed to support your case.
- If multiple members are involved in the same matter, 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.
- We’re not lawyers, and we cannot provide legal advice or legal representation. In some situations, the Member Advisory Committee may seek a legal opinion to help us better support you.