On July 1, 2026, People Strategy, Equity & Culture was restructured as the Division of People, Finance & Digital Services (PFDS). Read about the transformation.
Home • University HR & Labour Relations   Toggle contrast mode:    
HR Service Centre

Missed the memo?

We post all divisional news and memoranda to this site.

News and Memoranda

Who we are.

Ensuring the success of our world-class University takes the efforts of many.

Learn about the Division of People, Finance & Digital Services

Make a meaningful impact.

Dynamic and rewarding career paths for top talent from Canada and around the world.

Grow your career at U of T UTemp staffing

At U of T, everyone belongs.

Integrating the values of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a shared responsibility.

EDI at U of T

How to get in touch.

We're here to help.

Get connected

Our community is our strength.

Our institution thrives when we embrace and make space for the broadest range of people, ideas and perspectives.

Experience U of T

University HR & Labour Relations

Striving to continuously learn, improve and empower.

Information for employees including benefits, pensions, payroll, leaves, and more can be found on the HR Service Centre.

Suggested pages:

Employees Policies & Guidelines Agreements

Working to advance wellness.

U of T is committed to supporting wellness in the workplace.

Wellness Hub
Back to Inclusion

Complaints & Concerns about Discrimination & Harassment 

“The University of Toronto is dedicated to fostering an academic community in which the learning and scholarship of every member may flourish, with vigilant protection for individual human rights, and a resolute commitment to the principles of equal opportunity, equity and justice.”
– Statement of Institutional Purpose

All members of the University of Toronto community have a right to learn, live, work, and research in an environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. The University upholds its responsibility to address and respond to complaints of harassment and discrimination with utmost seriousness. This responsibility is guided by the Ontario Human Rights Code, which identifies 17 protected grounds: age, ancestry, citizenship, colour, creed/religion, disability, ethnic origin, family status, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, place of origin, race, receipt of public assistance, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and record of offences. The University is committed to addressing and eliminating experiences of discrimination and harassment, such as anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Asian racism, hate against 2SLGBTQ+ identities, and other groups based on identity.

Complaint Definition

The University of Toronto defines a complaint as formally providing a set of written allegations for the University to take action that could result in discipline or other action against a member of the university community, and filing the allegations through an existing policy process via the intake mechanism set up for that process.

The University offers complaints resolution processes and related supports when it comes to concerns of harassment and discrimination. Based on the Ontario Human Rights Code’s 17 protected grounds, U of T maintains a robust set of policies, and has established pathways to share a concern or file a formal complaint. The University strives to respond to complaints of harassment or discrimination in a timely and effective manner, while adhering to the principles of procedural fairness.

This page will provide you with the information needed to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment at the University of Toronto. When submitting a formal complaint, please be prepared to provide as much information as possible, including who was involved, details about what happened, when and where the incident(s) of harassment or discrimination occurred. You are welcome to also share the impact the incident(s) had. Although this information is required to file a complaint that the University can take action on, it is not necessary to provide these details in order to reach out to any of the intake offices to discuss your concerns.

Should you wish to report a hate crime under the Criminal Code of Canada, you may seek support from any intake office or from Campus Safety. However, reports of hate crimes are filed with the local police rather than with the University.

The University recognizes the impacts of discrimination and harassment and acknowledges that navigating complaints processes can be difficult. Individuals are encouraged to access any available mental health and wellness supports.

All complaints are treated confidentially, with information being shared only with those who need to know in order to process the complaint. You are welcome to speak with an intake office for further information about privacy.

Available Resources for Navigating Concerns

Members of the University community can obtain guidance from the University’s Institutional Equity Office (IEO) and the Faculty, Division, or Campus EDI Leads when seeking to address experiences of discrimination or harassment. The IEO and EDI leads can provide assistance with understanding policies and procedures related to concerns and complaints about discrimination and harassment, including referral to the appropriate intake office to file a formal complaint.

The University proactively fosters an inclusive postsecondary environment. The IEO collaborates across the University of Toronto’s three campuses to build capacity, support communities, and provide leadership in Indigenous Initiatives, equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism efforts that lead to a greater sense of belonging for all.

I need information for a complaint about:

Students

All students at the University of Toronto study, learn, and research under a common set of rules regarding conduct, as outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Complaints against students about alleged discrimination or harassment are governed by the Code of Student Conduct.

You may file your complaint with the following offices, as applicable to your situation:

  • a student’s registrar’s office or the office of their division head (i.e., College Principal, Dean of a Faculty, the Vice-Presidents and Principals of UTM and UTSC, or the Vice-Dean, School of Graduate Studies). You should file the complaint with the college or faculty of the student you wish to complain about, whether or not that is your own college or faculty.
  • the Institutional Equity Office

If you want to file a complaint about sexual violence or sexual harassment, please contact the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

If you want to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment against a learner at the School of Continuing Studies, contact the Director of EDI, School of Continuing Studies.

Clinical students, postgraduate residents and clinical fellows at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine who wish to file a complaint can access Temerty Medicine’s Learner Mistreatment pathway.

Related Resources

Students at the Faculty of Engineering can access the Faculty of Engineering’s confidential disclosure form.

Graduate students experiencing conflict with your academic peers can contact the Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision or the Vice-Dean, Students for support.

If you want to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment against a student group, or behaviour which occurred during their activities, refer to the Student Complaints Processes outlined on the Office of the Vice-Provost, Students website.

Complaints about Recognized Student Groups

Although the University does not monitor or review the activities of recognized student groups in the normal course of events, it will investigate complaints or charges that a group has acted in a manner that is inconsistent with its constitution or with the requirements of the Policy on the Recognition of Student Groups.   

Complaints about Student Societies

While student societies range in size, interest, and level of activity, all societies are characterized by three common elements: 

  • they both represent, and are accountable to, given constituencies within the University; 
  • membership is automatic with registration in academic divisions (or, where applicable, University residence); and 
  • all society members are charged a compulsory fee as part of their total payment to the University. 

If you have a complaint or concern pertaining to a society’s openness, accessibility, or democratic nature, you must first pursue the society’s own complaints mechanism. 

If you have exhausted the society’s complaints mechanism, then the Policy on Open, Accessible and Democratic Autonomous Student Organizations provides for a dispute resolution process in the Complaint and Resolution Council for Student Societies (CRCSS).

Staff, Faculty, and Librarians

All University of Toronto staff, faculty members, and librarians work under a common set of workplace policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines include the Guideline for Employees on Concerns and Complaints Regarding Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment.

Clinical Faculty members are subject to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine Standards of Professional Behaviour for Clinical (MD) Faculty.

If you want to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment against a faculty member or librarian, you may raise it with the University by contacting:

If you want to file a complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment, please contact the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

Clinical students, postgraduate residents and clinical fellows at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine can access Temerty Medicine’s Learner Mistreatment pathway.

Related Resources

Students at the Faculty of Engineering can access the Faculty of Engineering’s confidential disclosure form.

Graduate students experiencing conflict with your supervisory relationships can contact the Centre for Graduate Mentorship and Supervision or the Vice-Dean, Students.

All University of Toronto staff, faculty members, and librarians work under a common set of workplace policies and guidelines. These policies and guidelines include the Guideline for Employees on Concerns and Complaints Regarding Prohibited Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment.

If you want to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment against a staff member (non-faculty, but including a sessional instructor, Post-Doctoral Fellow, or Teaching Assistant (TA)), you may do so by contacting:

If your complaint is against an instructor with the School of Continuing Studies, contact the Senior HR consultant to share your concerns.

If you want to file a complaint of sexual violence or sexual harassment, please contact the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre.

Other

Program administrators for placement, coop, and learning abroad programs will be able to provide guidance to students seeking information on addressing complaints of discrimination or harassment that may have occurred at the placement, coop, or program site.

If you would like to make a complaint about discrimination or harassment against a non-U of T employee, including an employee of the federated colleges (Trinity, Victoria, St. Michael’s), you may raise it with the University by contacting:

Depending on the circumstances, the University may not have the authority to investigate a complaint or may need to do so in collaboration with the other organization, and the University will be limited in what type of action it can take following such an investigation.

If you want to file a complaint of discrimination or harassment, or report an incident of hate crime against a person who is not affiliated with the University of Toronto but who is a visitor to campus, including guest speakers, you may do so by contacting:

Reports of vandalism, graffiti, or hate crimes (as outlined in the Criminal Code of Canada), should be reported to one of the tri-campus Campus Safety Offices:

Additionally, the University of Toronto Office of the Ombudsperson provides confidential guidance and support to students, faculty members, librarians, and staff across all three campuses. For any complaints that cannot be resolved through the University’s processes, U of T community members are encouraged to reach out to the Ontario Ombudsman. 

Applicable Policies and Guidelines

All undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Toronto study, learn, and research under a common set of conduct policies and guidelines. Some of these policies also apply to postgraduate residents and clinical fellows at the Temerty Faculty of Medicine and to learners enrolled at the School of Continuing Studies. These policies and guidelines, which are available on the Vice-Provost, Students’ website, include the following:

All University of Toronto staff, faculty members, and librarians work under a common set of workplace policies and guidelines, some of which set out the University’s expectations of behaviour and conduct, and outline the processes used when community members bring forward concerns and complaints. These policies and guidelines, which are available on the University HR & Labour Relations website, include the following: 

The Office of the Governing Council has the comprehensive list of all University of Toronto Policies. 

Possible Outcomes

All complaints are taken seriously, reviewed, and addressed on a case-by-case basis. If an allegation of discrimination or harassment is proven under any of the applicable University policies or guidelines, the possible outcomes may include:

  • Education
  • Coaching
  • Oral or written reprimand
  • Mandated training or assignment
  • Reassignment/Restriction of duties
  • Suspension
  • Termination

Annual Report

As required by the Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities Act (as amended by Bill 166), the University of Toronto provides an annual public report on complaints of discrimination and harassment under the Ontario Human Rights Code. The report will not contain personal information or information that would compromise personal privacy or that would otherwise reveal information that should properly remain confidential.

Read the July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Report

Additional Supports

For Students 

U of T Telus Health Student Support  – mental health support for all U of T students. Offers free, real-time and/or appointment-based confidential, 24-hour support for any concern. Download the THSS App or call 1-844-451-9700. uoft.me/THSS

For Faculty Members, Librarians or Staff

The Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), provided by TELUS Health, is available to employees of the University of Toronto and their dependents: spouses, partners and dependent children. This program is provided at no cost to you. Visit uoft.me/efap or call 1-855-597-2110  

For Clinical Faculty Members

The Temerty Faculty of Medicine Wellness Resources are available for clinical faculty members.

For Learners at Temerty Faculty of Medicine

The Office of Learner Affairs at Temerty Faculty of Medicine provides a range of services and resources to support and guide learners.

Feeling distressed?

In an emergency, call 9-1-1. For other crisis support or urgent issues, visit the U of T Safety & Support website. If your concern involves a concern for your safety, contact the Community Safety Office at 416-978-1485.

Related Resources 

Anonymous Disclosure of Harassment or Discrimination 

Anonymous disclosures are those in which the identity of the person making the disclosure is not identifiable by the office receiving the disclosure. Because, for reasons set out below, such disclosures typically cannot start a process in which the University takes action that could result in discipline or other action against a member of the university community, these are called “disclosures” rather than “complaints”. The University recognizes that some individuals may not be comfortable revealing their identity in a complaint and may only wish to come forward in an anonymous or de-identified manner.

The reason that disclosures typically cannot result in discipline mostly relates to due process requirements in investigating complaints. Participants in a complaint process generally have the right to due process and procedural fairness, which includes the right of a respondent to know sufficient details of the allegations to be able to respond. This typically includes the identity of the complainant. Without an identified complainant, the respondent would likely not be in a position to answer the allegations. Further, an anonymous complainant would not be available to respond to questions that come up during the investigation, including being able to respond to information provided by the respondent. The University is also unable to provide support to a complainant when their identity is not known. While we accept anonymous disclosures, we encourage individuals to provide as much information as possible to facilitate the most thorough and effective possible action by the University.

The substance of anonymous disclosures will be collected, reviewed and used to inform an inclusive campus culture at the University.

A copy of the contents of this website can be made available upon request by emailing people@utoronto.ca.