[HISTORY: Adopted by the Municipal Council of the Township of Irvington 12-15-1992 by Ord. No. MC 2966 (Ch. 46 of the 1981 Revised Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
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.