March 22, 2011

UC Berkeley Staff Ombuds Says Financial Worries are Impacting Caseload

The latest biennial report from the University of California Berkeley Staff Ombuds Office says that visitors in 2008-10 declined 15% from the prior two-year period. Sara Thacker, Director and Ombudsperson, attributed the decrease to campuswide staff reductions — which led to “increased fear, conflict avoidance and workload demands” — and to staff reductions in the office itself, which resulted in “substantially reduced outreach activities.”

The just-published, 28-page report offers a two-year snapshot of working life at Berkeley, with sections on caseload volume, demographics, and workplace concerns and trends. The report noted in particular, "an alarming increase in allegations of bullying," and concluded with several recommendations for civility and anti-bullying initiatives. (UC Berkeley 2008-10 Report.)

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