When a college/university employee feels that his/her rights have been abrogated, the human resource department and in-house legal staff should be prepared to conduct a comprehensive, objective, and professional investigation. Such issues as proof of misconduct, "reasonable grounds," negligent investigation claims, and defamation claims are…

This discussion of college and university policy concerning misconduct of employees looks at legal standards of due process for discipline or dismissal; the parameters of "just cause"; employee rights to representation; and judicial rulings on a variety of misconduct issues such as criminal misconduct, sexual misconduct, alcohol, and drugs. (MSE)