Workplace Norms: Office of the Provost

Workplace Norms and Expectations
Office of the Provost
February 2026

The Office of the Provost is effective when its staff works together in a collegial, collaborative manner. As the leader of Academic Affairs, the Office must model this behavior for the benefit of its reporting units. Similarly, the Office staff will be productive if the workplace is welcoming, congenial, and mutually supportive. It is therefore hoped that adhering to these norms and meeting these expectations will enable staff to thrive, enabling the Office of the Provost to advance the mission of the University of Maine. 

Treat your colleagues with respect and be supportive of their work.

Recognize and celebrate your colleagues’ diverse professional expertise, talents, life experiences and work styles.

When you need assistance or back up, feel comfortable seeking out your colleagues with the expectation that they will help you. Collaboration is essential to the success of the Provost’s Office.

Be transparent with your colleagues and cultivate a climate of trust, open communication, active listening, and cooperation.

Strive to create a pleasant office environment. Remember that both nonverbal communication and verbal communication set the tone for our interactions.

When conflicts arise, seek out the colleague directly and try to resolve the issue with them.  Consultation with a supervisor or Human Resources is always appropriate if a good-faith effort at direct resolution does not resolve the issue. Direct contact is not mandatory in unsafe or sensitive situations and escalating early is acceptable for serious concerns. Staff members who are affected by a Title IX situation or incident may also reach out to their campus Deputy/Title IX Coordinator for support.

Remain aware that there are many ways to be a productive and effective colleague. Be accepting of your colleagues’ personal choices (e.g., taking lunch with the door closed or not taking lunch; taking advantage of available opportunities for remote work or opting to work in the Office; taking a break to walk around the Mall or staying inside to complete work to permit timely departure from Alumni Hall, etc.).

To the extent possible, avoid sending emails or other communications outside of the standard work day and work week. However, there will be times, in the Provost’s Office, which sits at the apex of Academic Affairs, when this default position may prove impossible to honor given the timelines/mandatory events/expectations of senior leadership.

Only designated, essential employees are expected to work on declared administrative leave days  (i.e. weather cancellations, day after Christmas, etc.). Provost’s Office staff are not considered essential as they are not required to report to work during an emergency, weather-related or otherwise, to ensure the operation of critical functions of the University community. To the extent possible, any meetings should be rescheduled. Please note that some members of the Provost’s Office may choose to work, including sending emails on these administrative leave days. There is no obligation or expectation of other staff members to respond.

Use your best judgment in reporting to work when not feeling well, both in terms of exposing others and taking the necessary measures to improve your own health.  If you choose to not report for in-person work, but feel well enough to participate in Zoom meetings, etc., that may be an option after consultation with your supervisor. Please be mindful that disability leave is provided so that employees are able to take a step away from work-related duties to rest and recover. 

While there is not a dress code, professional dress is expected.

Update your calendar to reflect vacation, off-campus appointments, lunch and remote work.

Office of the Provost policies will be clear and readily available/accessible. Policies will be revised as necessary in consultation with all staff. Familiarize yourself with the Handbook for Non-represented Faculty and Salaried Staff.