Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits
employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age or
national origin. Sexual harassment is included among the prohibitions.
Sexual harassment, according to the Federal
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), consists of unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical
acts of a sexual or sex-based nature where submission to such conduct
is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an
individual's employment, an employment decision is based on an individual's
acceptance or rejection of such conduct, or such conduct interferes
with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating,
hostile or offensive work environment.
It is also unlawful to retaliate or take reprisal
in any way against anyone who has articulated any concern about sexual
harassment or discrimination, whether that concern relates to harassment
of or discrimination against the individual raising the concern or
against another individual.
Sexual harassment is unlawful, and such prohibited
conduct exposes not only the Municipality of Murrysville as an employer,
but also individuals involved in such conduct, to significant liability
under the law. Employees at all times shall treat other employees
respectfully and with dignity in a manner so as not to offend the
sensibilities of a co-worker. Accordingly, the Municipality of Murrysville,
at all levels within its departments, shall vigorously enforce its
sexual harassment policy.