A recommendation from a recent organizational review suggested the efforts of these departments be combined for improved service and consistency. As a result, the university formed
, housed in the Office of Human Resources, on July 2, 2018.
In addition to managing workplace issues and engagement efforts for DePaul staff, the Employee Engagement and Equal Employment Opportunity office will now investigate complaints of discrimination, harassment and retaliation on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, military status, genetic information or other status protected by local, state, or federal law for DePaul students, faculty and staff.
The Title IX Coordinator, now housed in the Division for Student Affairs, will oversee investigations of complaints of discrimination, harassment and retaliation on the basis of sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, parental status or family relationship status for DePaul students, faculty and staff.
Gianna Johnston, left, a specialist for the Employee Engagement & Equal Employment Opportunity office, and Isabel Diaz, the director of the office, during a Human Resources open house in 2016. (DePaul University/Deanna Williams)
Introducing Employee Engagement and Equal Employment Opportunity the team
Isabel Diaz, the director of Employee Engagement and Equal Employment Opportunity, has worked at DePaul for 16 years. She has handled Employee Relations matters since 2007. Diaz has played a central role in creating and advocating the university’s
employee relations philosophy, which serves as a guide for employee collaboration, communication and cooperation.
Informed by the employee relations philosophy, Diaz and her team work to preserve an environment that respects the personal rights and dignity of each member of its community, and provide exceptional service to our students, colleagues and the community.
Barbara Schaffer, the manager of Employee Engagement and Equal Employment Opportunity, also joined the Human Resources team. She brings 25 years of experience managing cases of discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Gianna Johnston, a specialist for the office, began her career at DePaul 12 years ago. She has worked in human resources since 2014. Johnston concentrates on workplace issues and manages accommodations for faculty, staff and student workers.
If you have any questions, please contact a member of the team.
Barbara Schaffer, the manager of Employee Engagement and Equal Employment Opportunity. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)
Isabel Diaz
Director, Employee Engagement & Equal Employment Opportunity
(312) 362-8577
Barbara Schaffer
Manager, Employee Engagement & Equal Employment Opportunity
(773) 325-7496
Gianna Bellavia-Johnston
Specialist, Employee Engagement & Equal Employment Opportunity
(312) 362-8506