The Village has a strict policy against any form of unlawful discriminatory harassment. It is the policy of the Village to provide a working atmosphere free from discriminatory insult, intimidation and other forms of harassment. This policy applies to all of the Village's employees. Employees who violate this policy will be subject to discipline up to and including discharge.
(1) Discriminatory Harassment: Harassment based on any legally-recognized basis including, but not limited to, race, age, color, religion, sex, marital status, veteran status, ancestry, national origin or physical or mental disability, is a violation of Village policy. Harassment may be overt or subtle, but whatever form it takes, verbal, nonverbal, or physical; harassment is insulting and demeaning to the recipient. This cannot and will not be tolerated in the workplace.
(2) Examples of Harassment: Verbal abuse, ethnic and religious epithets, racial slurs or jokes, graffiti remarks written or drawn on walls or other structures, obscene gestures, and hazing to name a few. Even derogatory remarks between friends may lead to overt acts of unlawful discrimination.
(3) Sexual Harassment Defined: The Village maintains a strict policy prohibiting sexual harassment and prohibits such harassment in any form, including verbal and physical sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to, making unwanted sexual advances and requests for sexual favors where either [I] submission to such conduct is made an explicit or implicit term or condition of employment; [2] submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for an employment decision affecting such individual; or [3] such conduct has the purpose of affecting or substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
(4) Responsibility for Reporting Harassment: All supervisors and all other employees are responsible for ensuring that no harassment or discrimination occurs within their area. Any employee witnessing or being subjected to discrimination or harassment should immediately report it to the Administrator, Personnel Officer or Mayor. Complaints of harassment or discrimination will receive immediate attention.
(5) Investigation: An investigation will be conducted and may include conferring with parties and witnesses named by the employee reporting, or who is the subject of, the harassment or discrimination. Because of the sensitive nature of such complaints, incidents must be investigated with particular care and will remain, to the extent possible, confidential.
(6) Questions Regarding Harassment: Any questions concerning this policy, are to be directed to the Administrator, Personnel Officer or Mayor.
(Ord. 2021-27. Passed 12-6-21.)