Founded in 1636, Harvard is America's oldest institution of higher learning and one of New England’s largest private employers, serving as a critical source of regional stability and economic stimulus. We greatly value all of our employees and the daily contributions they make to the University's operational and academic excellence.

Harvard offers its employees a life-enriching community where they can reach their potential. We embrace a commitment to improving ourselves and the world within the framework of these shared values:

      Respect for the rights, differences, and dignity of others;

      Honesty and integrity in all dealings;

      Conscientious pursuit of excellence in one's work;

      And, accountability for actions and conduct in the workplace.

We consider Harvard employees to be the backbone of the University and absolutely essential to our core mission of advancing new ideas and promoting enduring knowledge.

The University is proud of the significant strides it has made over the years to improve the economic security and long-term prospects of our union and non-union employees.

We approach negotiations with campus labor groups in good faith, but we are mindful that any agreements made with our unionized workers have financial implications for all of our operating units, for our non-union employees, and for other academic and private sector employers.

From year to year, for example, the University must balance its budget amid the pressures created by items such as recent, dramatic cost increases for energy and for health care. Harvard also has a responsibility, as a tax-exempt, non-profit institution, to manage its financial resources prudently. Our tuition-paying students and their families, our donors and research sponsors, and our host communities expect the University to act responsibly with regard to its finances and commitments.

The University’s Office of Labor Relations supports Harvard’s mission by ensuring that all of our unionized employees receive total compensation that is fair, competitive and equitable, both internally and externally, while maintaining a balance with the University’s need to be responsible and accountable in its use of resources.

Marilyn Hausammann
Vice President for Human Resources