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<br /> SECTION 26 27 - HARASSMENT POLICY
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<br />The City is committed to providing a work environment that is free of discrimination. In keeping with
<br />this commitment, the City maintains a strict policy prohibiting unlawful harassment, including sexual
<br />harassment. This policy prohibits harassment in any form, including verbal and physical harassment.
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<br />Discriminatory behavior includes inappropriate remarks about, or conduct related to a person’s legally
<br />protected characteristic such as race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, sex, gender,
<br />pregnancy, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, familial status,
<br />or status with regard to public assistance
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<br />This policy statement is intended to make all employees, volunteers, members of boards and
<br />commissions, applicants, contractors/vendors, and elected officials and members of the public aware of
<br />the matter of harassment, but specifically sexual harassment, to express the city’s strong disapproval of
<br />harassment, to advise employees against this behavior and to inform them of their rights and
<br />obligations. The most effective way to address any sexual harassment issue is to bring it to the attention
<br />of management.
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<br />Applicability
<br />Maintaining a work environment free from harassment is a shared responsibility. This policy is
<br />applicable to all city employees, volunteers, applicants, contractors/vendors, members of boards and
<br />commissions, City Council members, and members of the public both in the workplace and other city-
<br />sponsored social events.
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<br />Any employee who violates this section will be subject to discipline or dismissal pursuant to Section
<br />18 19 of this policy.
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<br />An employee who believes he or she has been harassed by a co-worker, supervisor, or agent of the City
<br />should promptly report the facts of the incident or incidents and the names of the individuals involved
<br />to his or her supervisor or in the alternative, to the City Administrator. Supervisors should
<br />immediately report any incidents of harassment to the City Administrator (651-766-4040). The City
<br />Administrator will investigate such claims and take appropriate action.
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<br />Claims of harassment against the City Administrator should be reported to and will be investigated by
<br />the City Attorney (651)-224-3781.
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<br />Retaliation
<br />The City will not tolerate retaliation or intimidation directed towards anyone who reports employment
<br />discrimination, serves as a witness, participates in an investigation, and/or takes any other actions
<br />protected under federal or state discrimination laws, including when requesting religious or disability
<br />accommodation. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, any form of intimidation, reprisal, or
<br />harassment. Retaliation is broader than discrimination and includes, but is not limited to, any form of
<br />intimidation, reprisal or harassment. While each situation is very fact dependent, generally speaking
<br />retaliation can include a denial of a promotion, job benefits, or refusal to hire, discipline, negative
<br />performance evaluations or transfers to less prestigious or desirable work or work locations because an
<br />employee has engaged or may engage in activity in furtherance of EEO laws.
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