PURPOSE

This policy identifies the procedures to be followed when a Professional Staff Member is the subject of an investigation of suspected or alleged misconduct and has been placed on Administrative Leave, with or without pay, in conjunction with such investigation.

APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all eligible Professional Staff Members.

IMPLEMENTATION

Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the Executive Director, Human Resources, in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel, Office of the Provost, Public Safety, Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture and Internal Audit department, as applicable.

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERSIGHT

The President of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is the official responsible for the administration of this policy.

POLICY

A Professional Staff Member may be placed on Administrative Leave with or without pay in circumstances following an allegation of misconduct, which requires an investigation and review of the related facts. Compensation for Administrative Leave with pay will be equal to the Professional Staff Member’s base rate of pay. Administrative Leave will not continue beyond the length of the investigation.

DEFINITIONS

Administrative Leave is defined as the temporary removal from the work environment of a Professional Staff Member, with or without pay, following an allegation of misconduct, or other similar circumstance, that requires an investigation and review of the related facts.

Department Head is defined as the highest ranking administrator in a department or center within the Academy of Natural Sciences (e.g., Vice President, or Director).

Faculty Member is defined as an individual employed by Drexel University in a tenured, tenure-track, non-tenured track or adjunct position who teaches at any college, school, center or institute in the University.  A Faculty Member also is deemed to be exempt under the provisions of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and/or applicable state law.

Professional Staff Member is defined as an individual employed in any non-faculty category by the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, including an individual who is deemed to be either exempt or non-exempt under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and/or applicable state law.

PROCEDURES

When a Professional Staff Member is to be placed on Administrative Leave with or without pay, and an investigation is either pending or foreseeable regarding suspected or alleged misconduct involving that Professional Staff Member, the following procedures shall be observed:

1. Prior to any contact with the Faculty Member or Professional Staff Member, the affected individual’s immediate supervisor or Department Head shall meet (face-to-face and/or by telephone) with Human Resources and, as necessary, representatives from the Office of the General Counsel, Public Safety, and Provost Office to discuss the appropriate course of action under the circumstances, including termination or Administrative Leave.  In cases in which Internal Audit or the Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture have been involved, a representative from such office(s) shall also be consulted.
2. The representatives shall address any safety concerns arising out of the alleged or suspected misconduct as well as the scope of any investigation and the need for the preservation of evidence.  The representatives shall determine the role of each department, and establish an action plan (i.e. who should attend the meeting with the Professional Staff Member, what property, if any,  can be removed, next steps, etc.).
3. After a review of the facts and circumstances relating to the grounds for the Administrative Leave, Public Safety, in consultation with Human Resources, shall determine whether the safety and security of University personnel requires the presence of an officer.  Public Safety, in consultation with Human Resources, shall also determine whether its representative shall accompany the representative from Human Resources to the meeting with the Faculty Member or Professional Staff Member, or alternatively, remain in the general vicinity.
4. In any situation in which an investigation is pending or foreseeable, the Professional Staff Member shall be permitted to leave the University premises with only his or her personal items approved jointly by Public Safety and Human Resources.  Based on the circumstances, the Professional Staff Member may be escorted by a representative from Public Safety to the appropriate exit from University facilities.
5. Pending the completion of the investigation, steps must be taken to secure or prevent the destruction of documents relevant to the investigation. It is the responsibility of the immediate supervisor or manager, with the assistance of Human Resources and Drexel IT, to (a) terminate or suspend, as applicable, the Professional Staff Member’s access privileges to Academy information systems; and (b) to inventory and remove (or request removal of) the Professional Staff Member’s personal belongings. Pending the outcome of an investigation, the Academy will use reasonable efforts to keep the Professional Staff Member’s personal belongings in a secure manner.
6. Investigations shall be conducted in an expedited manner as circumstances allow and personal belongings shall be returned to the Professional Staff Member as soon as feasible.
7. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Professional Staff Member who were on an administrative leave without pay; and if determined not to be at fault, any wages owed while on administrative leave without pay may be restored. 

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT NOT AFFECTED

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary stated in this policy, nothing herein is intended to alter the at-will status of any Professional Staff Member. The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University at all times retains the right to terminate any Professional Staff Member at any time for any lawful reason, or for no reason at all.