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Conflict Resolution, Stress Reduction, and Legal Resources for Postdocs

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If you have a concern about discrimination or harassment, please Report the Incident.

If you have a concern about research misconduct, please Report the Incident

IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE OPTIONS AND PROCESSES FOR REPORTING HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, AND OTHER CONCERNS, PLEASE USE THE INTERACTIVE GUIDE FOR POSTDOCS.

Emotional Support and Well-Being Resources

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Duke Ombuds Office

The Duke Ombuds Office offers impartial and confidential support on a variety of issues to faculty, staff, and students. Pursuant to the International Ombuds Association’s standards of practice and code of ethics, the Ombuds Office serves as a resource to listen, discuss concerns, and help Duke community members explore options to address issues related to their work or learning. These services are available at no cost. For more information or to schedule a meeting, please visit ombuds.duke.edu.

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Duke Dispute Resolution Process

Duke is committed to fair and equitable treatment for all staff. Duke has established the Dispute Resolution Process for fair, orderly, and prompt resolution of disagreements. All regular staff who have successfully completed the 90-day orientation and evaluation period of employment are eligible to use the Dispute Resolution Procedure when policy disagreements arise.

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Duke Staff & Labor Relations

Staff & Labor Relations provides HR policy support and guidance, manages the dispute resolution and disciplinary processes, and helps foster effective manager-employee relationships. 

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Duke Office for Institutional Equity

The Office for Institutional Equity provides institutional leadership in enhancing respectful, diverse and inclusive work and learning environments for the Duke Community. OIE provides a range of services that uphold values of equity and diversity, as well as support compliance efforts in the areas of equal opportunity, affirmative action and harassment prevention.

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Duke Personal Assistance Service

Personal Assistance Service (PAS) is the faculty/employee assistance program of Duke University. The staff of licensed professionals offer assessment, short-term counseling, and referrals to help resolve a range of personal, work, and family problems. PAS services are available at no charge to Duke faculty and staff, and their immediate family members.

Duke’s Personal Assistance Service (PAS) has partnered with an outside provider to offer short-term counseling for staff and faculty and eligible family members who work outside of North Carolina. In recent years, larger numbers of faculty and staff are now working remotely beyond the borders of North Carolina. Through an arrangement with BHS, these individuals can now get up to eight no-cost, confidential consultations similar to the services offered through PAS for mental and emotional well-being concerns from clinicians in their states. Due to state license and legal regulations, PAS can only serve employees and eligible family members based in North Carolina and can only refer out-of-state employees seeking help to clinicians covered by Duke’s health insurance plans for standard visits. But now through BHS, out-of-state employees can be connected with clinicians in their own area for in-person or virtual consultations, and referral services for a broad range of concerns for themselves or eligible family members. Staff and faculty outside of North Carolina can now call BHS at 1-800-327-2251 (press option 1 on main menu) to schedule time to talk with a counselor about a broad range of difficulties that can interfere with health, life and work.

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Duke Disability Management System

The Disability Management System (DMS) provides leadership to the University and University Health System efforts to ensure an accessible, hospitable working and learning environment for people with disabilities while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. We serve as a centralized clearinghouse on disABILITY-related information, procedures and services.

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Duke Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Benefits

Duke offers both outpatient and inpatient behavioral health and substance abuse benefits under each of our medical plans. Benefits are administered through Cigna Behavioral Health.

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Mental Health and Stress Resources from Duke Health & Wellness

Stress is a fact of life. But when you have too much or it lasts too long, stress can take a physical and psychological toll on your health and well-being. It can aggravate existing medical conditions or create new ones. Family, finances and work issues usually top the list of causes of stress. It is important to find a healthy balance in your life. Learning how to manage your stress is your best method of treatment as well as prevention.

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Mindfulness Activites in the Student Wellness Center

Members of the Duke community (students, postdocs, faculty and staff) are invited to relax, reduce stress and anxiety, and recharge through a variety of wellness experiences, including yoga, mindfulness meditation, knitting, drum circles, tea-tasting, and tai chi.

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Legal Resources

The organizations listed below provide legal information or, in some cases, legal representation. Please note that these referrals do not constitute an endorsement. Postdocs should perform due diligence before entering into agreements, negotations, or financial transactions with any organization.

  • Lawyer Assistance Program: The Lawyer Assistance Program provides students and postdocs with three essential resources: counseling, risk reduction, and mitigation of legal charges. Consultations are held remotely and at no cost. To request a consulation, please fill out this survey. You will receive an email within 3 business days with instructions to set up a consultation with the lawyer. If you have any questions, please contact GPSG Director of Academic Affairs, Julian Liber. Please do not include any sensitive information in your inquiry.
  • Duke University is liaised with a law firm, Ogletree Deakins, that provides reduced rates for Duke employees seeking Legal Permanent Residency (aka “green card”). To be referred to the law firm, email Dylan Sugiyama, Interim Director of Visa Services, at dylan.sugiyama@duke.edu
  • North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: The North Carolina Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service can connect you to private attorneys in your area. Attorneys participating in the Lawyer Referral Service do not work for free. Attorneys make themselves available for a one-time meeting to the public at a reduced rate, charging a fee of no more than $50 for an initial 30-minute consultation. Fees for consultations longer than 30 minutes and fees for ongoing representation are set by each lawyer.
  • NC State Bar: If you have a legal problem and are looking for a lawyer in North Carolina, the North Carolina State Bar has advice and resources to assist you.
  • Law Help of NC: Law Help of NC has information on legal problems including housing issues, landlord and tenant issues, immigration and work visas, the legal system (state, federal, criminal and civil civil court, jury duty) and how to file a consumer complaint.
  • North Carolina Court System: Information for Citizens:  If you or a family member or friend are about to go to court, this information can help you navigate the way through the process. Includes frequently asked questions, criminal background check information, small claims court information, and courthouse maps and forms for civil and criminal cases to help understand court procedures.
  • Compass Center: The Compass Center helps all people navigate their journey to self-sufficiency, safety, and health. We empower individuals and promote equal access to opportunity regardless of gender or economic status. Our services include career and financial education, domestic violence crisis and prevention programs, assistance with legal resources, and youth health programs.
  • American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina:  The ACLU of North Carolina works on cases that involve violations of civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Constitution and related laws, such as your rights to due process, equal protection, religious freedom, privacy, speech, association, and your rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures and from cruel and unusual punishment.
  • Legal Aid of North Carolina:  Most of the legal services organizations in North Carolina are a part of, or affiliated with, Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC). These legal services organizations serve low-income people who reside in the counties assigned to each local office. Legal Services handles only civil cases (not criminal cases). Typical cases are landlord-tenant disputes, denial of government benefits, domestic violence and consumer disputes; however, each local office makes its own decisions about which types of cases it can accept. The client's income in most cases must be below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Due to limited funds and staff, these offices are not able to handle all cases presented to them.
  • Duke Law provides a list of legal resources.
  • Legal Research for Non-Lawyers from Duke Goodson Law Library.
  • Duke Office of Counsel provides a list of legal resources.

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 NIH Guidelines for the Appropriate Treatment of Research Trainees

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Office of Postdoctoral Services - Resources