1. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e et seq.) prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age or national origin. Sexual harassment is included among the prohibitions. Sexual harassment, according to the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), consists of unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors or other verbal or physical acts of a sexual or sex based nature where:
A. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment;
B. An employment decision is based on an individual’s acceptance or rejection of such conduct; or
C. Such conduct interferes with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.
2. It is also unlawful to retaliate or take reprisal in any way against anyone who has articulated any concern about sexual harassment or discrimination, whether that concern relates to harassment of or discrimination against the individual raising the concern or against another individual. Examples of conduct that would be considered sexual harassment or related retaliation are set forth in § 1-702. These examples are provided to illustrate the kind of conduct prescribed by this policy; the list is not exhaustive.
3. Sexual harassment is unlawful, and such prohibited conduct exposes not only the township but individuals involved in such conduct to significant liability under the law. Employees at all times should treat other employees respectfully and with dignity in a manner so as not to offend the sensibilities of a co-worker. Accordingly, the township is committed to vigorously enforcing its sexual harassment policy at all levels.
(Res. 2015-13, passed 8-10-2015) Penalty, see § 1-703