Village of Rhinebeck, NY Chapter 20 Sexual Harassment Policy

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Rhinebeck 9-9-2003. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 20-1 Purpose; definition.

It is the Village of Rhinebeck's firm policy to prohibit sexual harassment of any employee by another employee or a supervisor. The purpose of this policy is not to regulate the morality of employees. Rather it is to assure that in the workplace no employee is subject to sexual harassment. While it is not easy to define precisely what sexual harassment is, it certainly includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and/or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature including, but not limited to, drawings, pictures, jokes, teasing, uninvited touching or other sexually-related comments or conduct.

§ 20-2 Sexual harassment not tolerated; disciplinary action.

Sexual harassment of an employee will not be tolerated. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including discharge. There will be no adverse action taken against employees who report violations of this policy or participate in the investigation of such violations.

§ 20-3 Procedure for reporting and investigating complaints.

Any employee who feels that (s)he is a victim of sexual harassment should immediately report such actions in accordance with the following procedure. All complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated.

A. Any employee who believes that (s)he is a victim of sexual harassment should report the act immediately to the Mayor or Village Trustee in charge of the department where the employee works, the Clerk-Treasurer or the Village Attorney.

B. The Village will investigate every reported incident immediately. Any employee, supervisor or agent of the Village who has been found to have sexually harassed another employee may be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including immediate discharge.

C. The Village will conduct all investigations in a discreet manner. The Village recognizes that every investigation requires a determination based on all the facts in the matter. The Village also recognizes the serious impact a false accusation can have. The Village trusts that all employees will continue to act responsibly.

D. The reporting employee and any employee participating in any investigation under this policy has the Village's assurance that no reprisals will be taken as a result of a sexual harassment complaint. Rather, it is the Village's policy to encourage discussion of the matter so as to help protect others from being subjected to similar inappropriate behavior.