Non-Harassment Policy
Arkansas Partners in Policymaking strives to provide an environment that is pleasant, professional, and free from intimidation, hostility or other offenses which might interfere with the program. Harassment of any sort – verbal, physical, visual – will not be tolerated , especially harassment based on a person’s race, color, sex, religion, age, creed, marital status, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship status, or genetic history.
What is Harassment?
Harassment can take many forms. It may be, but is not limited to, words, signs, offensive jokes, cartoons, pictures, posters, e-mail jokes or statements, pranks, intimidation, physical assaults or contact, or violence. It may also take the form of other activity including derogatory statements not directed to the targeted individual but taking place within their hearing. Other prohibited conduct includes written material such as notes, photographs, cartoons, articles of a harassing or offensive nature, and taking retaliatory action against another participant for discussing or making a harassment complaint.
Responsibility
All participants have a responsibility for keeping the Partners in Policymaking program free of harassment. Any participant, who becomes aware of an incident of harassment, whether by witnessing the incident or being told of it, must report it to the Program Coordinator or other program staff. When program staff become aware of the existence of harassment, they will take prompt and appropriate action, whether or not the victim wants DRA to do so.
Reporting
Any incidents of harassment must be immediately reported to program staff. Upon receiving a report of harassment, an appropriate investigation and disciplinary action will be taken, if appropriate. All reports will be promptly investigated with due regard for the privacy of everyone involved, however, confidentiality cannot b e guaranteed. Any participant found to have harassed a fellow participant, staff member, or speaker will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including removal from the program. Retaliation of any sort will not be permitted and will subject an individual found to have engaged in retaliation to disciplinary action up to and including removal from the program. No adverse action will be taken against any participant making a good faith report of alleged harassment.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Statement of Purpose and Scope
Arkansas Partners in Policymaking is committed to maintaining an environment free of unlawful discrimination and harassment, and therefore, has zero tolerance for sexual harassment. Sexual harassment undermines the integrity of the Partners in Policymaking program, and any form of gender based or sex-based discrimination, including any kind of sexual harassment against any participant, staff, or third party will not be tolerated.
Definition
Sexual harassment under this policy is any conduct or communication of a sexual nature which is unwelcome. The victim, as well as the harasser, can be of any gender. The victim does not have to be of the opposite sex as the harasser.
Examples of Conduct Constituting Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment can involve an almost infinite variety of conduct. Such examples include
but are not limited to the following:
- Unwelcome physical contact with sexual overtones;
- Sexually offensive comments such as slurs, jokes, epithets, and innuendo;
- Inappropriate, repeated, or unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions;
- Inappropriate or suggestive comments about another person’s physical appearance,
characteristics or dress.
Applicability of Policy
The prohibition against sexual harassment applies to everyone – participants, staff, guest speakers, and other third parties. Arkansas Partners in Policymaking will not tolerate sexual harassment of any kind by anyone.
Reporting Sexual Harassment
Any individual who believe that they have been sexually harassed should report the incident to the Program Coordinator and/or another staff member. Complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated thoroughly and quickly. Whenever appropriate, disciplinary action will be taken against the harassing party, up to and including removal from the program. Partners will also take appropriate action to deter further sexual harassment. You will be advised of the results of the investigation and of any action taken, if appropriate. Participants and staff must report any incident of sexual harassment they may observe, even if they are not the target or victim of such harassment. Such reports will be handled in the same fashion as complaints by victims of sexual harassment.
Confidentiality
Any allegation of sexual harassment brought to the attention of Partners staff will be promptly investigated with due regard for the privacy of everyone involved. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigatory process, to the extent practicable under the circumstances, however, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
Discipline for Engaging in Sexual Harassment
Any individual found to have engaged in misconduct constituting sexual harassment will be subject to appropriate discipline, up to and including removal from the program.
Protection against Retaliation
Arkansas Partners in Policymaking will not in any way retaliate against any participant who makes a good faith complaint of sexual harassment or against any participant in the investigation, nor will it permit any other participant or staff to do so. Retaliation is a serious violation of this sexual harassment policy and should be reported immediately. Anyone found to have retaliated against another individual for reporting sexual harassment will be subject to the same disciplinary action described above. Further, any individual who makes an intentional or reckless false complaint also will be subject to the same disciplinary action as described above.
Alcohol and Substance Abuse
Arkansas Partners in Policy prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, use, dispensation, receipt, transportation or possession of illegal drugs or unauthorized controlled substances while engaged in program activities. Further, it is a violation of Arkansas Partners in Policymaking policy for anyone to engage in program activities in any impaired or intoxicated condition or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or illegal substances.
This policy applies to all partners and staff of the program.
Any individual found in violation of this policy shall be subject to the following:
- Disciplinary action up to and including removal from the program.
- Referral for prosecution. Legal sanctions for prosecution include, but are not limited to arrest, appropriate fines, and imprisonment.