[Adopted 10-28-1996 by Ord. No. 96-10-28]
Sexual harassment of any employee of this Town will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment includes unsolicited and unwelcome[1] contact that has sexual overtones. Such activity is grounds for disciplinary action.
[1]
Note: Courts have indicated that provocative speech or dress by the person complaining about sexual harassment has a bearing on the question of whether the "harassment" was welcome or unwelcome.
Sexual harassment includes the following:
A. 
Abusing the dignity of an employee through insulting or degrading sexual remarks or conduct. This includes comments of a sexual nature, sexual jokes, or sexually explicit statements not legitimately related to your job;
B. 
Threats, demands, or suggestions that an employee's work status is contingent upon the employee's toleration of or acquiescence to sexual advances; or
C. 
Any form of retaliation against any employee for complaining about the behaviors described above.
If you encounter any such abuse from your supervisors, fellow employees, Town contractors or their agents or any member of the public, you should contact your supervisor, the Personnel Director, the Town Administrator and/or your union's business agent.
The Town of Portsmouth wants all of its employees to know that they can work in security and dignity, and that they are not required to endure insulting, degrading or exploitative treatment.