Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Sexual & Other Unlawful Harassment <br /> Orange County ABC is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and <br /> harassment. Orange County ABC strongly disapproves of, and will not tolerate, unlawful harassment, <br /> including sexual harassment. This policy applies to conduct occurring in the workplace and/or in other <br /> settings where Orange County ABC employees may be in connection with their work, such as business <br /> trips, and business related parties and social events. All persons are expected to refrain from engaging in <br /> conduct which may be construed as unlawful harassment or sexual harassment. Likewise, each person is <br /> expected to take the necessary steps to prevent and eliminate its occurrence. This policy applies to all <br /> Orange County ABC personnel, as well as to vendors, clients, board members or others who deal with <br /> personnel. <br /> This policy prohibits unlawful harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, harassment related <br /> to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, <br /> ethnicity, age (40 or older),disability or genetic information and any other legally protected characteristic. <br /> Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual acts or favors, or other <br /> verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when(i) submission or rejection of such conduct is a term or <br /> condition of employment or is a basis for employment decisions, or (ii) such conduct has the purpose or <br /> effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's working conditions or performance by creating an <br /> intimidating,hostile,humiliating or offensive work environment. <br /> While in some cases individuals may make comments, jokes or personal advances without intending <br /> harm, such action can be unwanted, threatening and perceived as harassment. Stopping harassment in its <br /> many forms requires an increased awareness by everyone of the impact that such actions may have on <br /> others. Following is a partial list of unwelcome behavior that may be considered harassment: <br /> • Verbal conduct such as racial or ethnic epithets, derogatory jokes or comments, slurs, sexual <br /> innuendo, sexually suggestive "kidding or teasing,"jokes about gender-specific traits, unwanted <br /> sexual overtures or comments, inquiries or discussions concerning one's sexual experiences, <br /> comments on an individual's body; <br /> • Visual conduct such w derogatory and/or sexually oriented posters, photography, cartoons, <br /> drawings or gestures; <br /> • Physical conduct such as unwanted touching, hugging, kissing, intentional brushing up against the <br /> body of another employee; <br /> • Threats or demands to submit to sexual requests as a condition of continued employment or to <br /> avoid a loss of benefits,or offers of benefits in return for sexual favors; and <br /> • Retaliation for having reported or threatened to report harassment. <br /> Whenever possible, any person who is experiencing unwelcome conduct of the type generally described <br /> above should inform the person engaging in the conduct that it is unwelcome and request that it stop. The <br /> complainant may choose to pursue this option alone, or may ask a supervisor to be present or serve as an <br /> intermediary. <br /> Page 1 of 3 <br />