8/2/2019 Sexual Harassment Policy Page 1

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PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT POLICY NUMBER 800-2

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY OF THE EMILY WILLISTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY

I. IntroductionIt is the goal of the Emily Williston Library and the Public Library Association of Easthampton(P.L.A.E.) to promote a workplace that is free of sexual harassment and any other form of

prohibited harassment or discrimination. Sexual harassment and any other form of prohibitedharassment of employees occurring in the workplace or in other settings in which employeesmay find themselves in connection with their employment is unlawful and will not be toleratedby the Emily Williston Library ore the PLAE. Further, any retaliation against an individualwho has complained about sexual harassment, prohibited harassment, discrimination, orretaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of a sexual harassment orother harassment or discrimination complaint is similarly unlawful and will not be tolerated. Toachieve our goal of providing a workplace free from sexual harassment, discrimination and otherforms of harassment, the conduct that is described in this policy will not be tolerated and wehave provided a procedure by which inappropriate conduct will be dealt with, if encountered byemployees.Because the Emily Williston Library and the PLAE take allegations of sexual harassment

seriously, we will respond promptly to complaints of sexual harassment and where it isdetermined that such inappropriate conduct has occurred, we will act promptly to eliminate theconduct and impose such corrective action as is necessary, including disciplinary action whereappropriate.Please note that while this policy sets forth our goals of promoting a workplace that is free ofsexual harassment, the policy is not designed or intended to limit our authority to discipline ortake remedial action for workplace conduct which we deem unacceptable, regardless of whetherthat conduct satisfies the definition of sexual harassment.Furthermore, although this policy addresses sexual harassment, harassment or discriminationbased on any protected class is also prohibited. The reporting procedures in this policy maybe used to file a complaint of harassment or discrimination involving any protected class.Legally protected classes include race, color, religion, nation origin, sex, sexual orientation

(not including where the object of the orientation involves minor children), genetic information,ancestry, age, handicap or disability, and service in the uniformed military service.II. Definition of Sexual harassmentIn Massachusetts, the legal definition for sexual harassment is this: sexual harassment meanssexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and verbal or physical conduct of a sexual naturewhen: