Ten Reminders to Reduce Your Compliance Headaches
Workplace Environment. Create a positive workplace
environment. Identify HR concerns as early as possible. Provide
frank feedback to staff and research team members often. Take advantage
of the University’s dispute resolution and counseling services.
Find out more at http://www1.umn.edu/ugo/DRRbrochure%20-%204.0%201%201.pdf.
Forms and Documents. Before you sign any contract
or document, ask yourself: Do I really understand this? Do I have
authority to sign it? Do not sign any “certification”
unless you are comfortable with what you are attesting to.
Privacy and Confidentiality. Take special care
when dealing with any personal, health, financial, or other data
you know is “private” Make sure you understand University
records and security policies if you collect, transmit or retain
such information. Find out more at http://privacy.ahc.umn.edu/index.html.
Delegating Tasks. Make sure you clearly communicate
with anyone to whom or from whom you have delegated tasks. Make
sure you each clearly understand your roles and have the time and
resources to meet them. Put this in writing when practical.
Accident Reduction. Make sure all researchers
are current on safety training. Contact your Research Safety Officer
for any concerns about your laboratory safety and training needs.
Conduct a safety audit for your lab. Find out more at http://www.dehs.umn.edu/ressafety_hsr_rss.htm.
Questions and Concerns. If you are not sure what
to do for any compliance issue, don’t guess. Review applicable
University policies, consult with peers, and seek help from the
appropriate University offices. If you see a problem, even if it’s
not your responsibility, report that problem to responsible University
personnel for resolution. Early detection of mistakes and problems
greatly reduces their impact.
Intellectual Property. Discuss authorship and
intellectual property concerns with your research team in clear
terms as soon as they arise. Carefully document key details, such
as dates, funding sources, contributing researchers, and the like.
Contact the Office for Technology Commercialization. See http://www.research.umn.edu/techcomm/
Security. Report ANY suspicious activity directly
to the University Police by calling 911. Don’t prop open secure
doors, and keep all valuables secured. See Basic Campus Safety Tips at http://www1.umn.edu/police/prevention.html.
Promoting Responsibility. Set a personal example
for those around you. Take time to reacquaint yourself with our
Code of Conduct and consider how you can promote its values in your
area. Consider opening a discussion about the Code and its application
to your work at your next staff or team meeting. Find out more at
http://www1.umn.edu/twincities/code/.
Service. Look for opportunities for the University
to improve its research support services. If you have an idea to
improve practices, let the appropriate office know. If you didn’t
get the service you expect, tell that office or its manager what
happened.
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