The Township of Stafford recognizes that sexual
harassment is a violation of both state and federal law, and in that
respect the Township of Stafford seeks to provide its employees and
appointees with a work environment free of sexual harassment. Any
harassment of any Township employee or appointee by any other Township
employee or appointee will not be permitted, regardless of their working
relationship. The Township of Stafford has an unequivocal commitment
to a workplace free from sexual harassment and will enforce this commitment
through the polices and procedures set forth in this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
A.
Consists of and includes the following acts:
(1)
Any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for
sexual favors and other inappropriate or offensive verbal or physical
conduct made because of a person's sex.
(2)
Any advances which undermine the employment
relationship by creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work
environment.
(3)
Any advances which affect the individual's job
performance.
(4)
Any submission to such conduct that is made
either explicitly or implicitly by a term or condition of an individual's
employment.
(5)
Any submission to or rejection of such conduct
by an individual used as the basis of decisions concerning continued
employment or evaluation of such individual.
(6)
Any open display of sexually suggestive objects
or pictures in the workplace.
B.
Examples of such conduct as set forth above,
which shall constitute acts of "sexual harassment," shall include
the following:
(1)
Unwelcome sexual advances.
(2)
Sexually graphic comments.
(3)
Demeaning comments concerning sex and/or physical
appearance.
(4)
Unwelcome touching or any intentional contact
of a sexual nature.
(5)
Unwelcome and offensive sexually explicit humor.
It shall be the duty of the Township Administrator
and all department heads of the Township of Stafford to make it clear
to all Township employees and appointees that sexual harassment is
prohibited by the Township and is grounds for disciplinary action
by the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and by addressing
any and all complaints of inappropriate behavior.
A false complaint, false testimony or false
information provided in connection with a harassment investigation
will be subject to such discipline as the Township Council determines
to be appropriate, up to and including termination.
The Township shall provide mandatory training
to all supervisors and department heads regarding the Township's sexual
harassment policies and procedures. The Township shall make training
available to all employees and appointees.
The Township, through annual anonymous and confidential
questionnaires, shall monitor the employee's or appointee's trust
in the established policies and procedures of the Township concerning
sexual harassment.
Notice of this policy shall be disseminated
annually and shall be included in the employee manual.