LOCAL UNION POLICY AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT

IBEW Local 984 does not tolerate sexual harassment of any type.  Sexual harassment is unlawful and exposes our Local Union and any individuals involved in such conduct to significant legal liability.  The Local Union expects its employees and members to treat each other, members of the public, vendors, and contractors with respect and dignity.  Sexual harassment not only hurts the victim, but it also erodes union solidarity.  The Local Union is therefore committed to the vigorous enforcement of this policy against sexual harassment.  Local Union employees who engage in sexual harassment will be disciplined.  Sexual harassment by a Local Union member is unacceptable.

What is Sexual Harassment?

            Sexual harassment is:

–     unwelcome sexual advances;

–     unwelcome requests to engage in sexual conduct; and

–     unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of obtaining or continuing an employment or membership benefit;

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is the basis for employment or membership decisions adversely affecting such individual; or

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.

Sexual harassment may include intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature, such as touching, pinching, patting; non-physical conduct, such as staring in a suggestive manner; sexually-oriented gestures, noises, remarks, jokes, or comments about a person’s sexuality, sexual experience, or appearance; and displaying pictures, posters, calendars, graffiti, objects, reading materials, or other materials that are sexually suggestive, sexually demeaning, or pornographic. 

Getting Help for Sexual Harassment

It is strongly recommended that the victim of sexual harassment immediately and clearly tell his or her harasser that the conduct is inappropriate, unwelcome, and should stop – which may end the harassment.  In addition, the victim should report the harassment as set forth below.

Any individual accused of sexual harassment should not play any role in administering or making decisions under this policy.

I.          Local Union Employees – Local Union employees, including any supervisor who witnesses sexual harassment, should submit sexual harassment complaints to the Local Union Business Manager, or, if the complaint is against the Business Manager, to the Local Union President or a member of the Executive Board.  Complaints may be made orally or in writing.  Sexual harassment complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the Business Manager, the Executive Board, or someone designated by either, and a determination of the facts will be made.  Complaints and information obtained during the course of the investigation shall be kept confidential, except to the extent disclosure is necessary to investigate and resolve the complaint, or as necessary to respond to claims in a legal proceeding before a court or an administrative agency.  After the investigation, any Local Union officer, employee, or member found to have committed sexual harassment will be reprimanded and/or disciplined.  In addition to discipline, the offender may be required to attend sexual harassment training.  The nature of the reprimand and/or discipline imposed will depend on the nature and severity of the misconduct, and may include discharge of an employee. 

II.        Local Union Members* – Local Union members may encounter sexual harassment on the job or during Local Union functions.  The options available to a member for seeking help depend upon where the harassment occurs.

A.        Sexual Harassment on the Job:

The employer is legally responsible for providing a workplace free of sexual (and other) harassment.  If sexual harassment is encountered on the job, a remedy should be pursued from the employer.

1.         Inform the employer – The employee should find out if the employer has a policy against sexual harassment, and if so, obtain a copy of the policy.  If the policy contains a complaint process, the employee should follow that process to report the harassment to the employer.  If the employer has a harassment complaint process, failure to inform the employer about the harassment may result in a waiver of any legal right the employee may have to seek damages resulting from the harassment.  Even if the employer does not have a formal complaint process, the employee should advise his or her supervisor or other employer representative of the harassment.

2.         Inform the Job Steward or other Local Union representative – The employee may either ask the job steward to try to resolve the problem informally, or the employee may file a grievance against the employer, if appropriate. 

B.        Sexual Harassment during Local Union Functions:

A member may encounter sexual harassment during a Local Union function, such as a membership meeting or a social function. 

1.         If the alleged harasser is a fellow Local Union member, the victim may either:

(a) Seek an informal resolution of the harassment, by reporting the harassment to the Business Manager, or, if the complaint is against the Business Manager, to the Local Union President or a member of the Executive Board.  In such cases, the Business Manager, or the Executive Board, or someone designated by either, will promptly and thoroughly investigate the sexual harassment complaint, and make a determination of the facts.  The complaint and information obtained during the course of the investigation shall be kept confidential except to the extent disclosure is necessary to investigate and seek to resolve the complaint or as necessary to respond to claims in a legal proceeding before a court or an administrative agency.  If it is found that sexual harassment has occurred, the Business Manager, Executive Board, or other designated agent shall take appropriate steps to stop the harassment and will report to the victim the steps that have been taken; or

(b)        File internal union charges against the harasser under IBEW Constitution Article XXV, alleging the violation of this policy, following the procedures and deadlines set forth in Article XXV.

2.         If the alleged harasser is a Local Union employee, the victim should report the harassment to the Business Manager, or, if the complaint is against the Business Manager, to the Local Union President or a member of the Executive Board.  In such cases, the Business Manager or the Executive Board, or someone designated by either, will promptly and thoroughly investigate the sexual harassment complaint, and make a determination of the facts.  The complaint and information obtained during the course of the investigation shall be kept confidential except to the extent disclosure is necessary to investigate and resolve the complaint or as necessary to respond to claims in a legal proceeding before a court or an administrative agency.  If after the investigation, a Local Union employee is found to have committed sexual harassment, he or she will be reprimanded and/or disciplined.  In addition to discipline, the offender may be required to attend sexual harassment training.  The nature of the reprimand and/or discipline imposed will depend on the nature and severity of the misconduct.

Retaliation Prohibited

Retaliation against Local Union members or employees who have reported or cooperated in an investigation of alleged sexual harassment is strictly forbidden.  Retaliation in violation of this policy by a Local Union employee may result in discipline up to, and including discharge.  Retaliation in violation of this policy by a Local Union officer or member may result in discipline pursuant to internal union charges.  All individuals involved in the investigation of a complaint must be treated in a professional and respectful manner. 

This policy has been adopted by IBEW Local 984 effective

­­­­­­­­­        3/30/2010

          (date)