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Connecticut Mandatory Training Law Summary

Sample Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Policy

Discrimination
This organization is an equal opportunity employer. The organization will not discriminate in regard to any term, condition, or privilege of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Harassment
The organization is committed to providing a work environment that is free from unlawful harassment. Harassment based upon an individual's race, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated. All employees, including supervisors and other management personnel, are expected and required to abide by this policy.

Retaliation
No person will be adversely affected in employment with the organization as a result of bringing a good faith complaint of unlawful harassment or discrimination, or participating in good faith in an investigation under this policy.

Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This behavior constitutes harassment when (1) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions about employment, promotion, transfer, selection for training, performance evaluations, benefits, or other terms and conditions of employment; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or substantially interferes with an employee's work performance. This definition includes many forms of offensive behavior and includes gender-based harassment of a person of the same sex as the harasser. The following is a partial list of violations:

• Unwanted sexual advances
• Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors
• Threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances
• Leering, making sexual gestures, or displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoon, or posters
• Making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, or jokes
• Inappropriate touching or assault

Reporting Procedure
If an employee feels that he or she has been harassed on the basis of his or her race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other legally protected characteristic, the employee should immediately report the matter to his or her supervisor.

Managers who receive a complaint of harassment or discrimination, or have reason to know that behavior which might constitute prohibited harassment or discrimination is occurring, must immediately report the matter to Human Resources and/or the EEO Office.

If the employee’s supervisor is not available, or if the employee is uncomfortable speaking with his or her manager, the employee should immediately contact Human Resources and/or the EEO Office. Once the matter has been reported, it will be promptly investigated, and any necessary corrective action will be taken where appropriate. All complaints of unlawful harassment will be handled in as discreet and confidential a manner as is possible under the circumstances.

The organization takes all allegations of harassment and discrimination seriously. Accordingly, if the organization finds an employee has knowingly and willingly filed a false claim of harassment or discrimination, the organization will take disciplinary action against the employee, up to and including termination.