Problem with Fellow Colleague

If a dispute or concern arises between you and a colleague, you may try first to resolve it amicably between yourselves. It can be helpful to meet with the Ombuds, who can:

• Facilitate informal resolution processes
• Help you determine how to handle a challenging situation
• Discuss how to approach a fellow community member who has made an offensive or insensitive comment
• Assist when you are uncertain what Duke policies or procedures apply to your situation
• Assist when you don’t know what individual or university department is appropriate to go to for an answer to a specific question or to obtain a particular service
• Helps when you feel as if you have been unfairly treated by anyone on campus
• Engages in “shuttle diplomacy” to help solve a problem between you and another person
• Helps you evaluate and select among a variety of options to address a concern with another person or department

For more information, visit ombuds.duke.edu. To schedule a meeting, email ombuds@duke.edu. To better protect confidentiality, please do not send a detailed message - just indicate, “I’d like to meet with the Ombuds.”

Tips for approaching an informal conflict resolution discussion

 I’ve already tried, or am not comfortable with, an informal discussion, and I need my department to intervene

I want to confidentially discuss my situation with someone

Your postdoctoral appointment should be challenging, but it should not be traumatic or hostile. A hostile environment is one in which poor communication, gossip, scolding or blaming, favoritism, coercion, competition, back-stabbing, manipulation, and/or abuse occur on a regular basis.

If you are experiencing a hostile environment created or exacerbated by sexual, race-based, or gender-based harassment, please see the sections on addressing those types of situations.

If you are experiencing a hostile environment due to other hostilities or power dynamic concerns, the next step is to speak to your Faculty Mentor, HR or Business Manager, or Department Chair.

I am experiencing harassment in my environment

I want to learn more about seeking help from my department or school