Workplace Misconduct (non-Title IX)
At Seattle Colleges, we are committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for every member of our community. Misconduct in the workplace—whether in the form of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or workplace violence—undermines trust, threatens well-being, and disrupts our ability to teach, learn, and work together effectively. To support employees, supervisors, and students, this page provides clear definitions, reporting options, and resources to help recognize concerning behaviors early, address them constructively, and prevent issues from escalating. Together, we share responsibility for upholding these standards and ensuring our campuses remain safe, equitable places to work and learn.
Seattle Colleges is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace. Misconduct in the form of discrimination, harassment, bullying, or workplace violence has no place in our community. These behaviors harm individuals, undermine trust, and disrupt our ability to teach, learn, and work effectively.
Why This Matters
Creating a culture of respect and accountability requires every member of the Seattle Colleges community—employees, supervisors, and students alike—to recognize concerning behaviors early, address them constructively, and report them when necessary. By taking action before issues escalate, we can prevent harm, strengthen trust, and protect the well-being of all.
Four Key Forms of Misconduct
Discrimination
Discrimination is unfavorable treatment of a person based on that person’s membership or perceived membership in a legally protected class. Harassment based on a party’s membership in a protected class is a form of discrimination.
Read Policy 282 · Read Procedure 282
Harassment
Harassment is a form of discrimination consisting of physical or verbal conduct that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual because of their membership (or perceived membership) in a protected class. Harassment occurs when the conduct is objectively offensive and sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it alters the terms or conditions of employment or substantially limits a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the Colleges’ educational and/or social programs.
Does not typically include: petty slights, annoyances, offensive utterances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious).
Examples (not exhaustive):
Epithets, “jokes,” ridicule, mockery, or other offensive/derogatory conduct focused on a person’s protected class.
Verbal or physical threats of violence or physical contact directed at a person because of a protected class.
Making, posting, emailing, texting, or otherwise circulating demeaning or offensive pictures, cartoons, graffiti, notes, or other materials that relate to protected classes.
Bullying
Bullying is unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, or otherwise (including “cyber” bullying), that is objectively offensive and sufficiently severe, persistent, and/or pervasive as to alter the terms or conditions of employment or substantially limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the Colleges’ educational and/or social programs (including student housing).
Bullying may be:
Top-down: greater positional power → lesser power
Bottom-up: lesser positional power → greater power
Peer-to-peer: similar positional power
Not intended to restrict: constitutionally protected expressive activity, academic freedom, or other conduct protected by law.
Does not typically include: petty slights, annoyances, offensive utterances, and isolated incidents (unless extremely serious).
Workplace Violence
Workplace violence is “verbal assault, threatening behavior, or physical assault occurring in or arising from the worksite.” Under Policy 451 – Violence in the Workplace, such behavior is strictly prohibited; Seattle Colleges maintains a zero-tolerance standard.
Examples include hostile or abusive language, threats of harm, intimidating conduct, or physical aggression.
How to Report
Emergency (immediate danger): Call 911 first, then contact Campus Security.
Non-emergency: Submit a report through Maxient (online incident reporting) or file an oral/written claim with Human Resources or Student Services.
Retaliation is strictly prohibited against anyone who makes a report or participates in an investigation. Violations may result in discipline up to and including termination.
Training & Prevention (Employees & Supervisors)
Complete required prevention trainings via Vector Solutions and other modules listed on the Employee Online Training Opportunities page.
Supervisors: recognize early signs, document concerns, address promptly, and consult HR/Title IX/EEO when behavior meets policy thresholds or safety is at issue.
Employee Resources: Training Opportunities
Seattle Colleges is committed to providing employees with the knowledge, skills, and tools to foster a respectful, inclusive, and safe workplace. Training is offered through two primary channels: Vector Solutions (compliance and prevention-focused) and Institutional/HR-led trainings (professional development and operational support).
Vector Solutions Training
Vector Solutions provides self-paced, online modules that ensure all employees understand their rights, responsibilities, and the importance of preventing workplace misconduct.
Key features of Vector trainings:
Compliance & Prevention Focus: Modules cover discrimination, harassment, bullying, workplace violence, and other risk prevention topics that align with Seattle Colleges’ policies and state/federal requirements.
Universal & Role-Specific Assignments: Trainings are required for all employees, with additional modules for supervisors and those in specialized roles.
Accessible Anywhere: Courses are online, available through the Vector Solutions platform, and can be paused/resumed at any time.
Accountability: Completion is monitored to ensure compliance, and supervisors can follow up on required modules.
By completing Vector trainings, employees and supervisors help strengthen Seattle Colleges’ culture of safety, respect, and accountability.
Employee Online Training Opportunities – Vector Solutions
Institutional & HR-Led Trainings
Beyond compliance modules, Seattle Colleges also provides institutional training and professional development opportunities coordinated by Human Resources. These sessions are designed to build leadership skills, support workplace effectiveness, and ensure equitable practices across the district.
Examples of institutional training opportunities:
New Hire Orientation: Introduces new employees to district values, policies, and resources.
Search Committee Training: Ensures equitable and consistent hiring practices.
Manager/HR Training Sessions: Focused on supervision, employee relations, and effective workplace management.
HR Training & Events Schedule: Regularly updated sessions addressing workplace best practices and employee development needs.
These trainings are offered live (virtually or in-person) and provide valuable opportunities for interaction, questions, and collaboration with peers and HR staff.
Seattle Colleges – Employee Training
Employee Resources: Working with Your Union
Seattle Colleges recognizes and values the role of unions in representing and supporting employees. Several collective bargaining units represent faculty and staff across the district, and each union helps ensure fair working conditions, consistent application of negotiated agreements, and advocacy for member needs.
Why Union Collaboration Matters
Employee Rights & Protections: Unions safeguard employee rights through collective bargaining agreements (CBAs), covering issues such as compensation, benefits, workload, and leave.
Workplace Advocacy: Union representatives provide support when employees have workplace concerns, questions about policies, or need assistance navigating grievances.
Collaboration with the District: Seattle Colleges works closely with union partners to build fair, equitable, and transparent practices that align with the institution’s mission and values.
Current Unions at Seattle Colleges
Employees are represented by different unions depending on their role. Unions representing Seattle Colleges employees include:
AFT Seattle Community Colleges, Local 1789 – Represents full-time and part-time faculty.
AFSCME (WFSE), Local 304 – Represents classified staff.
AFT-SPS (South Part-Time Faculty) – Represents part-time faculty at South Seattle College.
Accessing Union Information
Union contracts (CBAs) are posted online and outline the specific rights, responsibilities, and negotiated benefits for employees.
Contact information for union leadership is available through the Seattle Colleges Union Information webpage.
Employees are encouraged to reach out to their union representatives for guidance, support, or advocacy on workplace issues.