What We Do

Staff Council plays an active role in supporting staff engagement and communication at Emory.

Our work includes:

  • Serving as an advisory voice to University leadership
  • Facilitating two‑way communication between staff and decision‑makers
  • Providing input on policies, practices, and programs affecting staff
  • Offering forums for discussion, feedback, and shared concerns
  • Partnering with governance groups and leadership across the University
 

How We Are Different from Human Resources (HR)

Staff Council works in coordination with the Division of Human Resources, but the roles are distinct:
  • Human Resources develops, administers, and implements official University policies, benefits, and employment programs.
  • Staff Council gathers staff perspectives and provides advisory input that may inform those policies and programs, but does not create, manage, or enforce them.

When appropriate, Staff Council helps direct staff to the appropriate HR resources or offices.

When to Contact Staff Council

Staff Council is an advisory body that gathers staff perspectives and facilitates communication across the University. Contact Staff Council when you want to:

  • Share themes, observations, or questions affecting staff broadly
  • Provide feedback related to policies, practices, or programs from a staff perspective
  • Raise topics you would like discussed by Staff Council representatives
  • Learn more about Staff Council meetings, committees, or service opportunities
  • Understand how staff input is communicated through advisory channels

Staff Council uses this input to:

  • Identify patterns or recurring topics
  • Support discussion among representatives
  • Share advisory observations with appropriate University partners
  • Document activities in the Impact Log for transparency

When to Contact Human Resources (HR)

The Division of Human Resources is responsible for developing, administering, and implementing official University employment policies, programs, and services.

Contact HR directly for:

  • Questions about pay, benefits, leave, time reporting, or classification
  • Individual employment concerns or workplace issues
  • Employee relations matters
  • Performance management or corrective action questions
  • Policy interpretation or application
  • Requests for accommodations or formal HR processes

HR offices are best equipped to address individual‑specific or confidential matters and provide authoritative guidance.

Quick Reference Guide

 Contact Staff Council if you want to:
  • Share overall staff feedback or trends
  • Suggest a topic for Council discussion
  • Learn how staff input is elevated in governance
  • Participate in Council activities
Contact Human Resources if you need to:
  • Resolve a personal employment issue
  • Get clarification on an existing policy
  • Request or manage benefits, leave, or pay matters
  • Address confidential or case‑specific concerns

Important Notes

  • Submitting feedback to Staff Council does not initiate an HR case or formal process.
  • Staff Council may redirect individual matters to HR or other offices when appropriate.
  • Please do not include confidential or personally identifying information in anonymous feedback submissions.
Staff Council serves in an advisory capacity within Emory University governance. Resources on this page are intended to support appropriate routing of questions and feedback