Trisha Charles, Ph.D.

Experience

• 

  SafeHouse of Seminole

  Jun 2010 - Apr 2015

  Outreach & Contract Coordinator
• 

  University of Central Florida

  Aug 2014 - Dec 2018

  Graduate Teaching Associate
• 

  Valencia College

  Jan 2018 - now

  • Leads all aspects of organization wide equal opportunity work for 4,970 employees or 70,906 students including assessments and investigations for all formal complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, inquiries related to equal opportunity, collection and dissemination of disaggregated employee data, etc.• Conducts investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, and leads fact finding interviews, writes thorough and factual investigation reports, and determines responsibility for policy violations.• Supports investigations team by overseeing cases, providing support and guidance as need, reviewing written materials, and bringing in organizational partners as appropriate.• Assesses the urgency of cases as reported, assigns cases to investigators, and oversees the investigation process from report to closeout.• Develops policies in alignment with state and federal laws and regulations including Title VII, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Pregnancy Workers Fairness Act (PWFA).• Maintains awareness of various laws, regulations, and policies to ensure the organization remains in compliance.• Builds relationships with organizational partners, including Employee Relations, Legal, and other internal Human Resources partners to collaborate on investigations, policies, and procedures.• Supervises the record-keeping procedures, compliance reviews, audits and reporting procedures pertaining to all facets of discrimination and harassment.• Demonstrates empathy towards all parties involved in investigations and maintains composure when engaging in challenging conversations with parties and witnesses.• Maintains privacy of case information, including identities of complainants and respondents, nature of allegations, and outcomes.• Manages case database and audits case management system to ensure case documentation remains in accordance with established department record keeping procedures. Show less • Received and responded to equal opportunity and employee relations incoming questions, complaints, and issues from supervisors and employees.• Interviewed and discussed with supervisors and employees concerns regarding workplace conflicts, discrimination, harassment, and other concerns that may have an adverse impact on employment.• Conducted investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and employee relations issues and led fact finding interviews, wrote thorough and factual investigation reports, and determined responsibility for policy violations.• Assessed the urgency of cases as reported, partnered with the Director to identify case lead, and completed the investigation process from referral to closeout.• Consulted with supervisors and supported the performance management process, including writing and delivering disciplinary action. • Supported the development of policies in alignment with state and federal laws and regulations including Title VII, Title IX, ADA, and FMLA.• Maintained awareness of various laws, regulations, and policies to ensure the organization remains in compliance.• Built relationships with organizational partners, including Security, Legal, and other internal Human Resources partners to collaborate on investigations, policies, and procedures.• Maintained the record-keeping procedures, compliance reviews, audits and reporting procedures pertaining to all facets of discrimination, harassment, and employee relations.• Demonstrated empathy towards all parties involved in investigations and maintains composure when engaging in challenging conversations with parties and witnesses.• Developed, delivered, and tracked training programs across the organization, including investigators and organizational partners. • Managed case database and audited case management system to ensure case documentation remained in accordance with established department record keeping procedures. Show less • Received and responded to equal opportunity and employee relations incoming questions, complaints, and issues from supervisors and employees.• Interviewed and discussed with supervisors and employees concerns regarding workplace conflicts, discrimination, harassment, and other concerns that may have an adverse impact on employment.• Conducted investigations into allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and employee relations issues and led fact finding interviews, wrote thorough and factual investigation reports, and determined responsibility for policy violations.• Assessed the urgency of cases as reported, partnered with the Director to identify case lead, and completed the investigation process from referral to closeout.• Consulted with supervisors and supported the performance management process, including writing and delivering disciplinary action. • Supported the development of policies in alignment with state and federal laws and regulations including Title VII, Title IX, ADA, and FMLA.• Maintained awareness of various laws, regulations, and policies to ensure the organization remains in compliance.• Built relationships with organizational partners, including Security, Legal, and other internal Human Resources partners to collaborate on investigations, policies, and procedures.• Maintained the record-keeping procedures, compliance reviews, audits and reporting procedures pertaining to all facets of discrimination, harassment, and employee relations.• Demonstrated empathy towards all parties involved in investigations and maintains composure when engaging in challenging conversations with parties and witnesses.• Developed, delivered, and tracked training programs across the organization, including investigators and organizational partners. • Managed case database and audited case management system to ensure case documentation remained in accordance with established department record keeping procedures. Show less • Developed and implemented primary prevention education program for all students on interpersonal violence, sexual assault, stalking, consent, and bystander intervention.• Provided ongoing training, consultation, and technical assistance for students and employees on equal opportunity and employee relations policies and procedures.• Designed and delivered training programs across campuses on various topics including interpersonal violence, technology facilitated stalking, sexual assault, policies and procedures, and bystander intervention to faculty, staff, and students as requested.• Collaborated with Assistant Vice President, Human Resources, Director, Assistant Directors, and Coordinators on discrimination, harassment, and employee relations cases.• Provided guidance and assistance to Assistant Directors and Coordinators for cases involving alleged discrimination and harassment.• Designated and trained Responsible Employees on campus about policies and reporting requirements.• Completed semi-annual reporting to Department of Justice on grant progress.• Presented at and attended Training and Technology Assistance Institutes with Department of Justice.• Developed and disseminated educational materials across campuses regarding interpersonal violence, sexual assault, and stalking.• Chaired Coordinated Community Response Team and various grant related task forces.• Strengthened relationships with grant MOU partners, Victim Service Center of Central Florida and Orlando Police Department. Show less

  • Director, Employee Relations

    Jan 2025 - now

  • Director, Equal Opportunity

    Mar 2022 - Jan 2025

  • Assistant Director, Equal Opportunity & Employee Relations

    Oct 2019 - Mar 2022

  • Coordinator, Equal Opportunity & Employee Relations

    May 2019 - Oct 2019

  • Project Coordinator - DOJ OVW Grant

    Jan 2018 - May 2019