Protection from Harm

Total Organizational Health (TOH) necessarily involves providing a safe working and learning environment for all people connected  to UTC. Among employees in particular, protection from harm involves ensuring that physical and psychological safety needs are met. This means addressing environmental and interpersonal risks of physical harm, as well as working to ensure that all employees have a voice, opportunities to use that voice, and a reasonable expectation that their voice will be heard and responded to by their colleagues and leaders. Closely related to feeling safe while working is the need to feel secure in one's work and ability to provide for their own needs and the needs of their dependents. 

Protecting employees from harm is a complex and challenging objective that requires the involvement of offices and people all across campus and within our broader Chattanooga community and university system. Here are a few of many TOH-related resources here at UTC designed to help protect employees from harm:

1. The UTC Environmental Health and Safety Department’s mission is to provide a safe, healthy, and hazard-free environment for the University community and useful and informative resources.
2. The UTC Police Department offers 24-hour service and will provide after-hours escorts upon request. Additional safety-related resources provided by campus police include:
   1. Helpful safety-related educational resources for the community.  
   2. Student and employee groups may invite police officers to speak on various crime- and safety-related issues. Crime prevention programs are available on campus crime, sexual assault, alcohol and drug awareness, scam awareness, self-defense, walking safety, and bicycle security.
3. Employees can gain more fully understand their compensation and benefits packages with the help of these resources made available from UTC Human Resources. 
4. The University of Tennessee's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can help with issues such as family and relationships; child and elder care; anxiety and depression; workplace conflicts; dealing with addiction; suicide prevention; grief and loss; legal and financial issues; work/life balance. EAP services are provided at no cost and all services are strictly confidential and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-855-HERE4TN (1-855-437-3486).
   • This EAP resource offers several stress-related coping and crisis resources free of charge to employees. Detailed information about the EAP's offerings can be found through the main EAP website (linked above)
5. UTC Cares provides a wealth of resources to help protect health and safety for students, faculty, and staff. This includes a 24/7 Crisis Response process that can be initiated from the UTC Cares website. 
6. Personal safety and security is enhanced when our bodies are physically healthy and well. UTC employees have access to incredible resources to help facilitate physical health and wellness, including the Campus Aquatics and Recreation Center (ARC). Membership fee includes use of an indoor track, rock climbing tower, exercise equipment, and more. Contact the Aquatic and Recreation Center (ARC) to join. 
7. If you know you need help with something but are not sure who to turn to, consider reaching out to campus ombuds services. You can consult the ombuds voluntarily to get help getting unstuck from challenges you may be experiencing at the university. An “ombud” or “ombuds” is an informal and confidential resource for all UTC employees. You can directly reach UTC's campus ombudsperson by email at [email protected] or by phone at 423-425-5729.