Help & Support

Voice or Report any concerns anonymously.

The Center for Wellness and Health Promotion offers services such as massage, acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and more to all members of the Harvard Community.

To begin, all users should complete the EH&S Computer Workstation Self Evaluation Assessment online training program, which is intended to educate users on the basics of ergonomics and apply this knowledge to a self-evaluation and correction of their workstation. If additional assistance is needed, EH&S can provide an in-person evaluation of your workstation by completing this online request form.

1. The Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program (HIRCP) has posted guidelines, notably their FAQ re ICE on Campus: Harvard’s Policies and Your Rights. 
2. Given understandable concerns about recent events (as of Spring 2025) that have occurred on other campuses, please note that Harvard has a longstanding protocol for handling requests from federal, state, or local law enforcement officers or agents.
   1. HUPD and/or OGC must review warrants, subpoenas, or other legal documentation seeking access to non-public spaces on campus for appropriateness and validity.
   2. If an officer or agent asks to access non-public space, community members should call HUPD at 617-495-1215 and the Office of the General Counsel at 617-495-1280.
   3. If an officer or agent asks to access non-public information, community members should call the Office of the General Counsel at 617-495-1280.
3. There are resources available to Harvard community members with questions or concerns about their immigration status:
   1. The Harvard International Office (HIO) provides services to international students and scholars.
   2. The Harvard Representation Initiative (HRI), located within Harvard Law School’s Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, provides pro bono legal counsel on immigration matters for community members, inclusive of social work support, to members of the Harvard community who are undocumented, DACAmented, or non-U.S. citizens who are concerned about their immigration status.
   3. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available 24/7 to support staff and faculty and their adult household members.
   4. The ACLU and other organizations have resources related to immigration status.

Harvard Global Support Services (GSS) provides international travel, research, and programming support in areas that span safety and security, health, culture, outbound immigration, and more. GSS also manages the University’s International SOS program, which provides 24/7 medical, mental health, security, and evacuation services to affiliates abroad. To expedite assistance, postdocs should enter their travel itinerary and contact information in the International SOS MyTrips platform before they leave.

Visit globalsupport.harvard.edu to learn more about GSS services, register travel, download the International SOS app, and contact GSS with any questions. They’re also happy to provide individual consultations and group orientations to help you minimize risk and feel confident about your international travel and activities.

For up-to-date advice on traveling during the pandemic, please consult this summary from GSS.

GSS provides tools and guidance that enable you to safely pursue your overseas study, work, and research.

Services and resources include

• Pre-departure group orientations
• One-on-one consultations to discuss security concerns and risk mitigation strategies related to your destination, gender, race, sexual orientation, gender-identity, or work or research topic
• Advice on traveling with technology, data, cash, and scientific equipment or samples
• Outbound visa application guidance
• Emergency medical and security response and evacuation services

Visit the GSS website to:

• Research your destination and review travel risk ratings.
• Register your trip with International SOS--our 24/7 global emergency response program--learn about their services, and download the app.
• Learn how to create a safe travel plan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Check your visa, passport, and immunization requirements.
• Contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Website: globalsupport.harvard.edu
Email: globalsupport@harvard.edu
Phone: +1-617-495-1111

Global Support Services Videos

• What we provide
• Safefy and Security
• Advice for Travelers during the Rona pandemic

The Harvard Ombuds Office can be of assistance to help to resolve workplace and/or academic issues.

As in the case of medical care, access to mental health care depends on your eligibility for Harvard benefits. 

If you are eligible for Harvard benefits, you will have access to HUHS Behavioral Health. If not, you will need to contact your PCP (Primay Care Physician) for a referral to a mental health care provider.

In addition, all postdocs have access to the services provided by KGA, our EAP. Please consult their brochure. The website can be assessed with your HarvardKey. Benefits include 24/7 confidential access to a network of experts who can help you with anxiety, depression, stress, emotional wellness, etc. KGA's phone number is (800) 648 9557. It's accessible 24/7.

Another great resource is the Community Behavioral Health Center in Cambridge. They offer 24/7 access to a counselor and option for home visits. The CHA Access and Crisis Line is (833) 222 2030

Finally, please find below several resources, including TED talks and online courses, that were of use during the dark days of the pandemic and still provide excellent advice.

• General Advice, including on Resilience
• Podcast to relieve anxiety, Part I, Part II, Part III
• A blog about Resilience in Science
• TED talks dealing with anxiety
• TED talks dealing with stress
• Happiness Audio books
• Mindfulness class
• Free Mindfulness classes
• Mindfulness exercises

The FAS has fully adoped the University's policies and procedures on non-discrimination and anti-bullying. 

In addition, the FAS has updated its existing local conduct policies and procedures based on the recommendations from the FAS Committee to Review Conduct Policies and Procedures (CRCPP) and in alignment with the University’s new policies and procedures. The FAS policies can be found on the new Non-Discrimination, Anti-Bullying, and Other Conduct Policies website.

For concerns related to discrimination or bullying, please reach out to the FAS/SEAS Local Designated Resources (LDRs), who serve as a resource for receiving reports and complaints, directing community members to resources, and providing information on supportive measures, or the Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights and Responsibilities.

Let's all share Dean Hoekstra's sentiment: "At its core, these policies help to ensure that the FAS is a safe place, where everyone can thrive and do their best work. Each of us shares an important responsibility to uphold the community values and standards that set the conditions for excellence in our teaching and research mission."

The Office of Work/Life Offers support around caring for yourself, your family, wellness, stress management, LGBTQIA resources, and more.

The EAP offers immediate, free, confidential help for postdocs and their hoursehold members. You can reach the EAP (877-327-4278) any day, at any time for personal or work-related concerns about yourself, family, friends, or coworkers. You may call any time to speak with a trained counselor or for a referral to an experienced professional near work or home. You can also use the e-support service for consultation through email or online chat.

The FAS/SEAS is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the FAS/SEAS community is, on the basis of sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination in any University program or activity. 

Harvard University’s policies prohibiting sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct apply to all Harvard students, faculty, staff, postdocs, Harvard appointees, and third parties.

Title IX Resource Coordinators for FAS/ SEAS Postdocs are listed on this page. Postdocs should contact Title IX Resource Coordinators for Faculty and Researchers for information and support.

In addition, the Harvard University Office for Community Support, Nondiscrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR) provides a comprehensive list of additional resources that may be of help to you, if you need to talk someone for crisis support, confidential support, responsible employee support, and LGBTQ+ support.

Instructions for Filing a Formal Complaint can be found on the Harvard University for Community Support, Nondiscrimination, Rights and Responsibilities (CSNDR).

The following are a few ways for postdocs to connect with others while at Harvard.

Harvard On The Move
Weekly group walks and runs from campus, open to all postdocs, friends, and families in the Harvard community.

Harvard Chaplains
Harvard Chaplains is the umbrella organization of over 35 chaplains representing 25 of the world's traditions, united in their commitment to supporting Harvard students, faculty, and staff.

Harvard Neighbors
Provides a sense of community for postdocs and their families through cultural and educational programs and events.

Harvie's Classified
Modeled on Craig's List, but open only to members of the Harvard community, enables the buying and selling of housing, furniture, books, electronics, cars, and more.

Outings & Innings
Provides easy and convenient access for postdocs to some of the area's best and most popular events, as well as considerable savings on tickets to the movies, museums, theaters, music and dance venues, professional sports and amusement parks. Your ID is a ticket to discounts at performing arts venues and for a myriad of products and services, including automobiles, telecommunications services, wedding invitations and holiday cards, massages, dining and much much more.

Special Interest / Support Groups
Includes groups such as the ABCD Committee, the Association of Harvard Asian and Asian American Faculty and Staff (AHAAAFS), the Association of Harvard Latino Faculty and Staff, The Committee on Concerns of Women (CCW), Crimson Toastmasters Club, Harvard Gay and Lesbian Caucus (HGLC), Harvard Recreation’s Club Program, Harvard Neighbors, The Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus, Networking for Kids, Out Played, and Longwood Toastmasters.

Volunteer Opportunities
These include the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, ARTS FIRST, Museums, and Harvard hospitals as well as programs such as the Host Program for International Students and The Reading Buddies Program.

Harvard University considers requests from community members with disabilities for workplace reasonable accommodations under the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended, and other applicable disability laws.

A reasonable accommodation is any reasonable change or adjustment to a job or work environment that permits a person with a disability to participate in the job application process, to perform the essential functions of a job, or to enjoy benefits and privileges of employment equal to those enjoyed by staff without disabilities. For example, a reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to: 

• Acquiring or modifying equipment or devices

• Job restructuring

• Modified work schedules

• Removing physical barriers in a work area

The reasonable accommodation process, following the guidelines established by Title I of the ADA as amended, is a collaborative and interactive process between the employee, department administrators, Faculty Affairs, and/or other subject matter experts such as University Disability Resources. While Harvard considers an employee’s preference when assessing requests for necessary reasonable accommodations, at times Harvard may offer an alternative accommodation, so long as the alternative is effective.

For more information regarding this process, please refer to the Reasonable Accommodation Fact Sheet.

--> To make a workplace accommodation inquiry or request or to schedule a no-obligation meeting to learn more about the reasonable accommodation request process, please contact University Disability Resources at disabilityresources@harvard.edu or 617-495-1859 TTY: 617-496-0466.