Sexual harassment violates federal and state law. The Village of Thomaston
hereby finds that sexual harassment creates an illegal and undesirable working
environment and that such activity should be prohibited and prevented. It
is the policy of the village to maintain a work environment which is free
of sexual harassment and to provide for appropriate disciplinary action, including
dismissal in appropriate cases, where such activity occurs.
"Sexual harassment," as used in this Article, shall mean:
A. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors
and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when:
(1) Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly
or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment.
(2) Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual
is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual.
(3) Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially
interfering with an individual's work performance or is creating an intimidating,
hostile or offensive work environment.
B. Any of the following activities, when combined with the
above conditions, shall be deemed to constitute sexual harassment:
(1) Unwelcome sexual advances.
(2) Requests for sexual favors.
(3) Other verbal and physical conduct, such as offensive
sexual flirtation, advances or propositions; unwanted hugs, touches, kisses;
touching, patting, pinching; subtle pressure or requests for sexual activity;
forced sexual relations; verbal abuse of a sexual nature; sexual jokes; sexually
suggestive remarks or innuendos; persistent remarks about another person's
clothing, body or sexual activities; off-color humor; graphic written or verbal
commentaries about an employee's body; sexually degrading words used to describe
an employee; display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects or pictures;
insults or degrading sexual remarks or conduct used to abuse the dignity of
another person; threats, demands or suggestions that an employee's work status
or benefits depend upon the employee's tolerance of sexual advances; and retaliation
against employees who complain about sexually offensive behavior.
C. "Sexual harassment" does not include compliments and
conversations of a socially acceptable nature. "Sexual harassment" does include
unwelcome sexual advances or propositions, requests for sexual favors and
other verbal or physical conduct which offends employees, harms morale or
interferes with the working environment of an employee.
Sexual harassment is prohibited at all levels of employment, at all
times, and especially when it directly or indirectly threatens a term or condition
of employment, affects an employment decision, interferes with the work performance
of an employee or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.
The Village of Thomaston will endeavor to protect the privacy of employees
involved in a sexual harassment investigation to the extent reasonably possible.
The village shall also take appropriate action such that employees who file
complaints of sexual harassment are protected from illegal retaliatory actions.
All persons involved in any such complaint or investigation shall be treated
with dignity.
Sexual harassment violates federal and state law. Refusal to comply
with the village's sexual harassment policy will result in disciplinary action,
possibly including dismissal, in addition to any other penalties which may
be provided by law.