Invitation to Self-Identify

As a recipient of federal funding (e.g., funding for research and student loans), the University is a federal contractor and subject to legal requirements regarding Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity.  Applicable laws include Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (Section 503) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistant Act, as amended (VEVRAA).  Section 503 and VEVRAA prohibit employment discrimination against individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, respectively.  They require covered federal contractors to recruit, employ, promote, and retain qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

As part of these obligations, the University is required to provide reports to the government regarding the composition of its workforce, and to assess its affirmative action efforts.

Completing the self-identification surveys is voluntary, but encouraged.  Your participation helps ensure the accuracy of our workforce data, which is the basis for the University’s assessment of its recruiting, hiring, and retention efforts.

You can designate or review your disability and veteran status designations in Workday: https://workday.uchicago.edu/.  Follow these steps to update your disability status.  Follow these steps to update your veteran status.

The University is required by law to conduct analyses of its workforce and to develop and implement an Affirmative Action Plan.  These analyses help the University identify potential barriers to equal employment opportunities with respect to individuals with disabilities and veterans.

The University must demonstrate its good faith efforts to collect this information to evaluate its affirmative action efforts.  The option, “I don’t wish to answer” is provided in each survey, as submission is voluntary.  By completing the survey, it helps the University comply with reporting requirements.

No, the information you provide is confidential and will not be used as the basis for any employment decision affecting you.

Disability and veteran information is considered confidential and is used for Affirmative Action Plan-related reporting and analysis.  A limited number of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity Programs administrators have access to this information.

Yes, please review your current status to ensure the University has the most current information.  You may also change your status at any time in Workday if your status changes.

You are considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or if you have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition. The federal government has broadened conditions that may be considered a disability. The online survey in Workday includes a broad list of physical and mental conditions that may be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

A veteran is a “protected veteran” under VEVRAA if they fall into one or more of the following categories: disabled veteran; recently separated veteran; active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran; or Armed Forces service medal veteran.  For more information, please visit the Department of Labor website.

Staff, faculty, and academic appointees with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits their ability to perform the essential functions of their job, are responsible for initiating the request for a workplace accommodation.

For more information, staff may contact Employee & Labor Relations at elrelations@uchicago.edu.  Faculty and other academic appointees may contact the Office for Access and Equity.  Director Liz Honig may be reached at 773.702.4913 or ehonig@uchicago.edu. 

To request a reasonable accommodation to complete the survey, please contact Equal Opportunity Programs at equalopportunity@uchicago.edu.

For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact Equal Opportunity Programs at equalopportunity@uchicago.edu.