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.
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.
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.