WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

It is the policy of Western Wyoming Community College that all employees, students, contractors and visitors enjoy a positive, respectful and productive work environment, free from behavior, actions or language constituting workplace harassment.

Engaging in workplace harassment is unacceptable conduct that will not be tolerated. Any employee found to have engaged in workplace harassment will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

This policy does not address sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is addressed by Board Policy and Procedure 4420B.

Adopted July 17, 2001
Reformatted March 2012

Procedure 4420D

WORKPLACE HARASSMENT

Work place harassment is a form of offensive treatment or behavior, which to a reasonable person creates an intimidating, hostile or abusive work environment. It may be racial, based on national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or religion. It may also encompass other forms of hostile, intimidating, threatening, humiliating or violent behavior, which are not necessarily illegal discrimination, but are nonetheless prohibited by this procedure. It is not the intent of this procedure to limit the free exchange of ideas. In administering this procedure, the College’s statement on academic freedom, Board Procedure 6110A, will be honored.

It is misconduct for an employee to direct the subject behavior at another employee, student, contractor or visitor. Workplace harassment may consist of verbal, nonverbal or physical behavior which as the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment. Workplace harassment can also be verbal, nonverbal or physical behavior that is derogatory, abusive, disparaging, “bullying”, or threatening.

The following specific examples of workplace harassment are provided, but are not intended to be all-inclusive:
• Slurs and jokes about a class of persons based on disability, sexual orientation or race,
• Display of explicit or offensive calendars, posters, pictures, drawings or cartoons which reflect disparagingly upon a class of persons or particular person;
• Derogatory remarks about a person’s national origin, race, language or accent;
• A pattern of:

a) Disparaging or disrespectful comments or gestures, even if unrelated to a person’s race, color, sex, national origin, age of disability; or
b) Loud, angry outbursts or obscenities directed toward another employee, a student, a contractor or a visitor in the workplace.

Individuals believing they have been the subject of workplace harassment should bring the matter to the attention of their supervisor for investigation. If the supervisor is the alleged perpetuator, the matter should be brought to the attention of the supervising Vice President, College President or Human Resources office.

Adopted January 18, 1996
Reformatted March 2012