Why are we promulgating a policy now? A growing body of research has documented that sexual harassment, assault, and rape are unfortunately a part of the field research experience. Action is necessary on the part of individuals and institutions to change the culture and the reality behind this sad situation. Here's a news article that gives some background: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140716141308.htm
The Project Management Committee was stimulated to go on record with an anti-harassment policy for BES. All participants in BES, from young students to senior leaders deserve a comfortable, open, and non-discriminatory work environment -- whether it's in the classroom, the lab, the field, or the office. This means that everybody involved BES --whether officially paid by BES funds or not --must understand what sexual harassment is in order to avoid engaging in harassing behaviors, and to be able to seek recourse if it does occur.
It is important for all to understand that intent is not the definition of harassing behavior -- effect is. Unintentional harassment is still harassment. The policy gives examples of things that can be perceived as harassment, and which must therefore be avoided.
Here is the entire text of the policy:
SEXUAL AND OTHER UNLAWFUL
HARASSMENT OR
DISCRIMINATION
The Baltimore Ecosystem Study
(BES) LTER is committed to providing a constructive research environment that
is free of harassment and that supports individual dignity and respect.
Accordingly, BES advocates a
strict policy prohibiting sexual harassment and discrimination because of race,
color, creed, gender, national origin, age, physical or mental disability,
sexual orientation, military service, or any other classification protected by
Federal, State or local law. Such conduct will not be tolerated and is
prohibited.
Sexual harassment includes, but
is not limited to, the following:
1. Unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual
favors; and all other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature
based on gender, especially where:
a. submission to such conduct is made explicitly or
implicitly a term or condition of involvement in BES;
b. submission to or rejection of such conduct is used
as the basis for decisions affecting an individual’s involvement in BES; or
c. such conduct has the purpose or effect of
interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating,
hostile or offensive research environment.
2. Offensive comments, jokes, drawings, pictures or
cartoons, innuendoes, and other sexually oriented statements, whether verbal or
written.
Similarly, any of the following
conduct may involve unlawful harassment or discrimination because of race,
color, creed, gender, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual
orientation, military service or any other classification protected by Federal,
State or local law:
1. Verbal conduct such as epithets, derogatory
comments, slurs, jokes or comments;
2. Visual conduct such as derogatory poster,
photography , cartoons, drawing or gestures,
3. Physical conduct such as unwanted touching,
blocking normal movement, or inappropriate physical gestures;
4. Retaliation for having objected to reported or
threatened to report harassing conduct.
If a person believes that he or
she is being harassed or discriminated against because of his or her sex, race,
disability, ancestry or other protected classification, such person should follow
the policy of their home institution for reporting such conduct.
--------End of Policy--------------------
This policy will be posted in the BES office and lab, and on the website. Participants in BES should also consult the anti-harassment policies of each of their employers, and further details may appear there. In addition, specific institutions provide channels for grievance and recourse.
Please take the need to understand and avoid sexual harassment seriously. Also take seriously the desire of the leadership of BES to be helpful in facilitating appropriate recourse by the legally responsible institutions if any harassment does occur as a part of BES activities and work.
No comments:
Post a Comment