CAUT Policy Statement

Academic staff must be provided the security of employment necessary to pursue their academic work¹ and are subject to disciplinary action and/or discipline only for just cause.

Procedures for the investigation of allegations that may lead to discipline are matters that are subject to negotiations between the academic staff association and the administration and may only be amended or changed with the agreement of the parties. These procedures shall protect academic freedom, be fair and equitable, have clear timelines for their initiation and conclusion, and be consistent with the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness.

No disciplinary investigation or action may be based on unattributed or anonymous complaints or information, or upon any information that has not been communicated in a timely fashion and in writing to the academic staff member. No external report or review by any agent may be the basis of a decision to discipline a staff member.

The academic staff member has the right to be represented by the staff association, to respond to, and to comment upon all of the evidence before any recommendation or decision concerning discipline is made. The academic staff member must receive the evidence in sufficient detail to be able to provide an adequate response.

Discipline shall be consistent with the principles of progressive discipline, grievable on both procedural and substantive grounds, and subject to arbitration. No discipline shall result from an academic staff member exercising their academic freedom.

Approved by the CAUT Council, April 2016:
Editorial revision approved by the CAUT Executive Committee, February 2021.

Endnote
¹ See Policy Statement on the Nature of Academic Work.