US Dept. of State Sexual Harassment policy -- interesting

[diva77]

https://www.state.gov/s/ocr/c14800.htm

snip
What Is Sexual Harassment?

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

1) An employment decision affecting that individual is made because the individual submitted to or rejected the unwelcome conduct; or

2) The unwelcome conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive work environment.

Certain behaviors, such as conditioning promotions, awards, training or other job benefits upon acceptance of unwelcome actions of a sexual nature, are always wrong.

Unwelcome actions such as the following are inappropriate and, depending on the circumstances, may in and of themselves meet the definition of sexual harassment or contribute to a hostile work environment:

Sexual pranks, or repeated sexual teasing, jokes, or innuendo, in person or via e-mail;
Verbal abuse of a sexual nature;
Touching or grabbing of a sexual nature;
Repeatedly standing too close to or brushing up against a person;
Repeatedly asking a person to socialize during off-duty hours when the person has said no or has indicated he or she is not interested (supervisors in particular should be careful not to pressure their employees to socialize);
Giving gifts or leaving objects that are sexually suggestive;
Repeatedly making sexually suggestive gestures;
Making or posting sexually demeaning or offensive pictures, cartoons or other materials in the workplace;
Off-duty, unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects the work environment.

A victim of sexual harassment can be a man or a woman. The victim can be of the same sex as the harasser. The harasser can be a supervisor, co-worker, other Department employee, or a non-employee who has a business relationship with the Department.
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Employees who have been found by the Department to have subjected another employee to unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether such behavior meets the legal definition of sexual harassment or not, will be subject to discipline or other appropriate management action. Discipline will be appropriate to the circumstances, ranging from a letter of reprimand through suspensions without pay of varying lengths to separation for cause. A verbal or written admonishment, while not considered formal discipline, may also be considered.
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This seems much more reasonable than "zero tolerance"

(bold type added for emphasis)

[Beartracks]

1. ANd OMG, look at the Dept's responsibility.

"If the Department receives an allegation of sexual harassment, or has reason to believe sexual harassment is occurring, it will take the necessary steps to ensure that the matter is promptly investigated and addressed. If the allegation is determined to be credible, the Department will take immediate and effective measures to end the unwelcome behavior."

(emphasis added)

What -- you mean the first step isn't to fire person who was accused?????!!/??!?///????????



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[diva77]

3. Many measures can be taken; zero tolerance seems contrary to "innocent until proven guilty"

[LisaL]

2. We still have a department of state?

[diva77]

4. scary, isn't it

[Egnever]

5. I LOLed