Employee Relations
What We Do
Employee Relations empowers our faculty and staff by fostering a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work culture.
How We Do It
We provide compassionate guidance, proactive coaching, and practical conflict resolution to help every team member grow, succeed, and contribute to the University's shared mission.
This includes:
- Workplace conduct and conflict resolution strategies
- Overseeing the investigation of complaints
- Overseeing the disciplinary process in regard to complaints, in conjunction with other necessary areas of the University
Filing a Complaint and the Investigation: Understanding the Process
We’re here to help you understand what happens should you file a complaint with our office.
We’ll follow a series of steps, which include:
- Once your complaint is filed, it is under review by the Employee Relations team. You will be contacted thereafter to set up a meeting to discuss further. Your complaint is confidential. There are many factors that contribute to the timeline of an investigation. Whether the employee is union/non-union, the severity of allegations, and scheduling for everyone involved.
- Once a complaint is filed, the investigator will meet with everyone involved and review relevant information regarding the allegations. At the conclusion of this stage, everyone involved is notified that the matter is closed and what the next steps will be, if any.
Employee Relations is working with both Labor Relations and University Counsel on many of these cases. If you need an update on the status of your case, feel free to reach out to us at any time.
Progressive Discipline
The University uses a Progressive Discipline framework to ensure equity and transparency in the process and to provide managers with a consistent plan to ensure every member of the team has what is needed to thrive.
Where appropriate, we will follow the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement in disciplinary proceedings.
*Note: Depending on the nature and severity of the incident, the University may bypass Progressive Discipline and proceed directly to termination.
Additional Policies and Procedures
Our office also oversees the facilitation and enforcement of several other University Policies, including (but not limited to):
- Employee Code of Ethics
- Consensual Romantic, Amorous, or Sexual Relationship Policy
- All relevant sections of collectively bargained agreements
We’re Here to Help
If you’d like to request guidance or report suspected policy violations by a Montclair State University employee, please fill out our online intake form.
If you’d like to get in touch with a specific member of the Employee Relations team, please use the corresponding contact information below.
Cristi V Mahabir M.H.R.M.
Director, Employee Relations
Assistant Director of Employee Relations
Employee Relations Coordinator
Not sure you’re in the right place?
Labor Relations and Employee Relations have recently become separate, dedicated areas to ensure faculty and staff receive the exact support, guidance, and resources needed.
To determine which area is the best fit, use our Employee/Labor Relations: Finding the Right Support guide.