Sexual harassment is a form of gender discrimination and is a violation
of state and federal civil rights laws. It is the policy of this municipality
to strongly oppose and prevent any form of discrimination. We recognize that
any employee's ability to perform his or her job may be adversely affected
by harassment based on sex. Therefore, this policy has been prepared to aid
our employees in understanding and helping to prevent sexual harassment.
Any employee who believes that another employee is initiating sexual
harassment shall file a written complaint with the New York Mills Village
Clerk, One Maple Street, New York Mills, New York 13417, within 30 calendar
days of the incident. Retaliation against the complainant will not be tolerated.
Due to the serious and private nature of this offense, false accusations of
sexual harassment are and will be treated as a disciplinary offense and will
result in the same level of punishment as that applied to one who engages
in such behavior.
The policy of the Village of New York Mills is to investigate all such
complaints. If an investigation confirms that harassment has occurred, the
Village of New York Mills will take corrective action, including any discipline
that is appropriate, up to and including immediate termination of employment.
This directive is for municipal use only and does not apply in any criminal
or civil proceeding. The municipal policy shall not be construed as a creation
of a higher legal standard of safety or care in an evidential sense with respect
to third-party claims. Violations of this directive will only form the basis
for municipal administrative sanctions. Violations of law will form the basis
for civil and criminal sanctions in a recognized judicial setting.