SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

 

The Ghent Playhouse has adopted a policy of “zero tolerance” with respect to unlawful harassment. It is the Ghent Playhouse, Inc.’s intent to provide an environment for all volunteers, actors, directors and employees which is free from sexual harassment.  

Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature.  It refers to behavior that is unwelcome, personally offensive, and which interferes with our effectiveness.

The regulations of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission define unlawful sexual harassment as follows: 

“Unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, whether by a male or female, constitute sexual harassment when:

 

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment,

• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or

• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment”.

Examples of the conduct referred to as unwelcomed may include (but not limited to), sexual bantering, off-color language or jokes, sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions, request for sexual favors, verbal abuse of a sexual nature, verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually-degrading words used to describe individuals, displays of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, and using sexually-oriented or degrading gestures or other nonverbal communications. 

The Ghent Playhouse Inc will not condone, permit nor tolerate sexual harassment of its volunteers, actors, directors or employees. Persons who engage in such harassment will be subject to appropriate discipline up to and including termination of his/her volunteering, acting, directing or employment.

Similarly, if you have any questions as to whether certain conduct is unlawful discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to speak with a member of the Board of Directors or with the President.

What is offensive to one person may not be offensive to another.  Consequently, it is important that you let your feelings be known.  VOLUNTEERS, ACTORS, DIRECTORS or EMPLOYEES who believe they have been subject to sexual harassment should IMMEDIATELY BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION TO A BOARD MEMBER or directly to the President.

Any Board Member who receives a complaint about sexual harassment or who are made aware of conduct constituting sexual harassment are  IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE PRESIDENT.

 

ALL COMPLAINTS WILL BE INVESTIGATED PROMPTLY and the existence and nature of the complaint will be DISCLOSED ONLY TO THE EXTENT NECESSARY to make a prompt and thorough investigation or as may be necessary to take appropriate corrective measures.

 
In all cases, the PERSON WHO INITIATED THIS PROCEDURE WILL BE INFORMED OF THE FINDINGS and disposition of the matter at the conclusion of the investigation.  Further, the Board of Directors will ensure that there is no coercion, retaliation, intimidation or harassment directed against any volunteer, actor, director or employee who registers a complaint or serves as a witness on behalf of another.