The Township of Irvington expressly prohibits any form of sexual
harassment. Improper interference with the ability of employees to
perform their expected job duties will not be tolerated. It is Township
of Irvington policy that all employees have a right to work in an
environment free of discrimination, which encompasses freedom from
sexual harassment. The Township of Irvington strongly disapproves
of sexual harassment of its employees, in any form, and states that
all employees at all levels of the Township of Irvington must avoid
offensive or inappropriate sexual and/or sexually harassing behavior
at work and will be held responsible for ensuring that the workplace
is free from sexual harassment.
The Township of Irvington strongly disapproves of and does not
tolerate sexual harassment of any kind. It is the responsibility of
each supervisor to create an atmosphere free from sexual harassment
and to communicate the Township of Irvington's policy on this
subject to all subordinates, to promptly investigate complaints and
to take corrective action as necessary. It is the responsibility of
each employee of the Township to respect the rights of coworkers.
All employees must avoid offensive or inappropriate sexual behavior
at work and are responsible for assuring that the workplace is free
from sexual harassment at all times.
The Township of Irvington policy prohibits unwelcome sexual
advances; requests for sexual acts or favors with or without accompanying
promises, threats or reciprocal favors or actions; or other verbal
or physical conduct of a sexual nature which has the purpose or effect
of adversely affecting an employee's performance or which creates
a hostile or offensive working environment. Examples of prohibited
conduct include but are not limited to lewd or sexually suggestive
comments; off-color language or jokes of a sexual nature; commentary
about an individual's body; slurs and other verbal, graphic or
physical conduct relating to an individual's sex; or any display
of sexually explicit pictures, greeting cards, articles, comic books,
magazines, photos or cartoons. Such behavior and displays are prohibited
anywhere in the Township of Irvington, including locker rooms and
bathrooms, and in any public place, including any off-duty encounters
among Township of Irvington employees.
The Township of Irvington will endeavor to investigate all complaints
as expeditiously and as professionally as possible. Where investigations
confirm the allegations, appropriate corrective action will be taken.
The Township of Irvington will make every attempt to maintain the
information provided to it in the complaint and investigation process
as confidentially as possible. Any employee who has a complaint of
sexual harassment at work by anyone, including supervisors, coworkers
or visitors, should immediately bring the problem to the attention
of his or her immediate supervisor. If the complaint involves supervisory
personnel in the employee's line of command, then the complaint
should be brought to the Business Administrator. All complaints should
be in writing and should specify the acts of sexual harassment complained
of. As part of its investigation, the Township of Irvington will conduct
interviews with all relevant persons, including the complainant, the
accused and other potential witnesses. The Township of Irvington will
review its findings with the complainant at the conclusion of its
investigation. If the investigation reveals that the complaint appears
to be valid, immediate and appropriate corrective action, up to and
including seeking a discharge, will be taken to stop the harassment
and prevent its recurrence. If the validity of the complaint cannot
be determined, immediate and appropriate action will be taken to assure
that all parties are reacquainted with the sexual harassment policy
so as to prevent sexual harassment in the future.
There will be no retaliation against employees for reporting
sexual harassment or assisting the Township of Irvington in the investigation
of a complaint. However, if after investigating any complaint of harassment
or unlawful discrimination the Township of Irvington learns that the
complaint is not bona fide or that an employee has provided false
information regarding the complaint, disciplinary action may be taken
against the individual who provided the false information.
A copy of the sexual harassment policy will be distributed to
all Township employees and will be posted in a prominent place in
the Irvington Municipal Building.