Consultation FAQs
- What is "consultation"?
- How does a person arrange for consultation?
- What happens in the initial conversation?
- How confidential is it?
1. What is "consultation"?
It is a private conversation(s);
- with a consultant, usually Linda Winkler
- at a time and place convenient to the client, including before and after work hours;
- to discuss any workplace concern.
Consultation is available on request for any faculty or staff member on all three campuses.
<top>
2. How does a person arrange for consultation?
They can:
- Schedule an appointment through the program secretary (734-615-4789) or in person at 2072 Administrative Services Building, 1009 S. Greene St.
- Call directly: Linda Winkler, 734-615-6067. Private messages can be left on voice mail at that number.
- Contact us on e-mail at mediation.services@umich.edu.
<top>
3. What happens in the initial conversation?
We listen to the client's concern and ask questions to help us understand it.
- We explore options that might resolve the concern. This might include:
- Suggesting specific strategies for the client to implement.
- Suggesting referral to another office, such as the Office of Institutional Equity, the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP), Public Safety, or an HR consultant, and discussing how that office might help.
- Reviewing relevant personnel policies and rights.
- Making calls to obtain information on behalf of the client, while the client remains anonymous, or to establish contacts for the client to use.
- Suggesting that we take action on behalf of the client, for instance, contacting their HR consultant or someone in the client’s department, but only if the client wants us to do so.
- Nothing in these meetings is obligatory. The client decides whether or not he/she wants any further follow-up.
- Except in the case of a probable danger to someone, (see below) we will take no action except what the client wants us to take.
- Sometimes we just listen and do nothing more, if that is what the client wants.
<top>
4. How confidential is it?
Our meetings and conversations are private, and can be arranged at a location that will preserve privacy.
- No record is made of the conversation.
- There is no connection to the client's personnel record in any way.
- The client's department will not learn about this conversation, unless the client decides to tell them or directs us to tell them.
All information will be kept confidential, UNLESS the concern involves threats, illegal harassment or acts of a criminal nature that pose potential danger to other people.
If such danger does exist, we will make every effort to keep the client immediately informed of any action we must take, and to protect their privacy if at all possible.
For more information, or to schedule a consultation or mediation:
Please make sure to include information on how to contact you, and whether or not it is okay to leave a message on your answering machine/voicemail (if applicable).
<top> |
