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32 <br />protected by state or federal law, including age, disability, religious and sexual <br />harassment. This policy prohibits harassment in any form, including verbal and physical <br />harassment. <br /> <br />This policy statement is intended to make all employees, volunteers, members of boards <br />and commissions, and council sensitive to the matter of harassment, to express the City’s <br />strong disapproval of unlawful harassment, to advise employees against this behavior <br />and to inform them of their rights and obligations. <br /> <br />This policy applies to all of the City’s employees, including elected officials, members of <br />boards and commissions, consultants rendering professional services to the City and <br />volunteer personnel. <br /> <br />The City acknowledges this policy cannot possibly predict all situations that might arise, <br />and also recognizes that some employees are exposed to disrespectful behavior, and <br />even violence, by the very nature of their jobs. <br /> <br />Applicability: <br />Maintaining a respectful public service work environment is a shared responsibility. This <br />policy is applicable to all City employees, volunteers, firefighters, members of boards and <br />commissions and City Council members. <br /> <br />Abusive Customer Behavior <br />While the City has a strong commitment to customer service, the City does not expect <br />employees to accept verbal and other abuse from any customer. <br /> <br />An employee may request that a supervisor intervene when a customer is abusive, or the <br />employee may defuse the situation themselves, including professionally ending the <br />contact. <br /> <br />If there is a concern about the possibility of violence, the individual should use his/her <br />discretion to call 911, and as soon as feasible, a supervisor. Employees should leave the <br />area immediately when violence is imminent unless their duties require them to remain <br />(such as Police Officers). Employees must notify their supervisor about the incident as <br />soon as possible. <br /> <br />Types of Disrespectful Behavior <br />The following behaviors are unacceptable and therefore prohibited, even if not unlawful <br />in and of themselves: <br /> <br />1. Violent behavior: Includes the use of physical force, harassment, bullying or <br />intimidation. <br /> <br />2. Discriminatory behavior: Includes inappropriate remarks about or conduct <br />related to a person’s race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability, sex, <br />pregnancy, gender-biased statements, such as stereotypes about women or