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Supervisors at UC Merced play a vital role in fostering a respectful, supportive, and compliant workplace. Whether you hold a formal supervisory title or have oversight responsibilities as part of your role, you are expected to respond to employee needs with care, consistency, and accountability.
This guide outlines common workplace situations and directs supervisors to the appropriate HR team for support, ensuring timely response and support.
Below are common scenarios where HR consultation is strongly recommended to ensure alignment with university policy, employee well-being, and legal compliance.
Here are examples of situations where HR support is strongly recommended:
- Navigating performance concerns or disciplinary actions
- Responding to employee complaints or grievances
- Managing leaves of absence, accommodations, or return-to-work plans
- Addressing workplace conflict or team dynamics
- Clarifying policy interpretation or procedural steps
- Supporting and modeling the UC Merced Principles of Community
- Handling hiring, onboarding, or role transitions
Common Workplace Wellness and Engagement situations
An employee requests a leave due to their own serious health condition, to care for a family member with a serious health condition, pregnancy, parental bonding, military (FMLA/CFRA/PDL)...
...connect the employee to Benefits promptly for consultation regarding leave options and eligibility.
Please send questions to benefits@ucmerced.edu.
An employee requests an accommodation due to disability, pregnancy, or religious belief...
...connect the employee to Benefits promptly for consultation and/or to initiate the interactive process.
Please send questions to benefits@ucmerced.edu.
An employee sustains a workplace injury or illness...
...ensure the employee receives appropriate care from an authorized facility (if needed), report the incident via the RSS Injury and Illness Reporting platform, and provide required form(s) to the employee.
Please send questions to benefits@ucmerced.edu.
An employee gives you a note from a health care provider with restrictions/functional limitations...
...send the note to Benefits promptly for review and consultation.
Please send questions to benefits@ucmerced.edu.
You receive a concern about alleged bullying, abusive conduct, unprofessional behavior, or interpersonal conflict...
...consult with Employee & Labor Relations for support in assessing the issue. Please send questions to laborrelations@ucmerced.edu.
You learn of potential ethics violations or whistleblower concerns...
...refer to the Ethics and Compliance Office. Please review the Ethics & Compliance site for further details.
You receive a report of threat to self or others by a UC Merced employee...
...immediately contact a Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) member at bit@ucmerced.edu.
Common Workforce Planning situations
You’re considering changes to an employee’s title, scope of work, or supervisory responsibilities...
...consult with Compensation before proceeding.
You’re considering a reclassification, equity adjustment, stipend request for an employee...
...consult with Compensation before proceeding.
You have concerns about wage issues, timekeeping, or missed breaks...
...consult with Employee & Labor Relations for support in assessing the concerns.
Please send questions to laborrelations@ucmerced.edu.
You have questions or concerns involving Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs), e.g., union business leave, workload, etc. ...
...consult with Employee & Labor Relations for support in assessing the concerns.
Please send questions to laborrelations@ucmerced.edu.
You have questions or concerns involving newly accreted or status quo positions under union review...
...do not change terms of employment and consult with Employee & Labor Relations.
Please send questions to laborrelations@ucmerced.edu.
You want to start the recruitment process for a new position and/or a backfill position for someone who is leaving...
...consult with Talent Acquisition before proceeding.
Please send questions to ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.
You or your team need support with training, onboarding, or development resources...
...contact Talent Development to explore available programs, tools, and support options.
Please send questions to hrtraining@ucmerced.edu.
Common People and Performance situations
An employee sustains a workplace injury or illness...
...ensure the employee receives appropriate care from an authorized facility (if needed), report the incident via the RSS Injury and Illness Reporting platform, and provide required form(s) to the employee.
Please send questions to benefits@ucmerced.edu.
An employee gives you a note from a health care provider with restrictions/functional limitations...
...send the note to Benefits promptly for review and consultation.
Please send questions to benefits@ucmerced.edu.
You have performance or conduct concerns with employee...
...consult with Employee & Labor Relations before taking any formal corrective action; document concerns as appropriate.
Please send questions to laborrelations@ucmerced.edu.
You receive a complaint and/or have information involving alleged harassment or discrimination...
...you are required, as a responsible employee to report these claims to the Office for the Prevention of Harassment & Discrimination (OPHD).
Still Unsure? If you're not sure which HR team to contact, reach out to hr@ucmerced.edu and we'll direct you to the right support.
Disclaimer: This page is intended as a general guide to help supervisors recognize when to engage Human Resources. Specific processes or outcomes may vary depending on individual circumstances, labor agreements, and university policy. If in doubt, consult with HR directly.
