Sexual Harassment Policy

From Interlock Rochester Wiki

This is a draft document and has not yet been ratified.

Interlock Rochester is committed to providing a hackerspace that is free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is against the law and will not be tolerated. When Interlock determines that an allegation of sexual harassment is credible, it will take prompt and appropriate corrective action.

All members and guests are required to comply with this policy. Members are also expected to behave professionally and to exercise good judgment in hackerspace-related relationships, whether with fellow members, officers, or guests. Further, all members are expected to take appropriate measures to prevent sexual harassment. Unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature should be stopped before it becomes severe or pervasive and rises to a violation of law.

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. A membership 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 use of the space or creates an intimidating, hostile, uncomfortable, or abusive environment.

Certain behaviors, such as conditioning member 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 an undesirable environment:

1. Sexual pranks, or sexual teasing, jokes, or innuendo, in person or via electronic communication;
2. Verbal abuse of a sexual nature;
3. Touching or grabbing of a sexual nature;
4. Repeatedly standing too close to or brushing up against a person;
5. Repeatedly asking a person to socialize when the person has said no or has indicated he or she is not interested
6. Giving gifts or leaving objects that are sexually suggestive;
7. Making sexually suggestive gestures;
8. Making or posting sexually demeaning or offensive pictures, cartoons or other materials;

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 member, guest, or other person.

Interlock's Responsibilities Under This Policy

If an allegation of sexual harassment is received, or there is reason to believe sexual harassment is occurring, the officers will take the necessary steps to ensure that the matter is promptly investigated and addressed. If the allegation is determined to be credible, Interlock will take immediate and effective measures to end the unwelcome behavior. Interlock is committed to take action if it learns of possible sexual harassment, even if the individual does not wish to file a formal complaint.

The President is the main contact point for questions or concerns about sexual harassment. The President has responsibility for investigating or overseeing investigations of alleged sexual harassment. The President is committed to ensuring that all investigations of sexual harassment are conducted in a prompt, thorough, and impartial manner.

Persons who observe, are informed of, or reasonably suspect incidents of possible sexual harassment must immediately report such incidents to the President, which will either initiate or oversee a prompt investigation. Failure to report such incidents to the President will be considered a violation of this policy and may result in disciplinary action. The President will provide guidance as needed on investigating and handling the potential harassment. Other officers should take effective measures to ensure no further apparent or alleged harassment occurs pending completion of an investigation.

Interlock Rochester will seek to protect the identities of the alleged victim and harasser, except as reasonably necessary (for example, to complete an investigation successfully). Interlock will also take the necessary steps to protect from retaliation those individuals who in good faith report incidents of potential sexual harassment. It is a violation of both federal law and this policy to retaliate against someone who has reported possible sexual harassment. Violators may be subject to disciplinary action.

Members who have been found by Interlock to have subjected another member 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 membership suspension through banning from the premises. A verbal or written admonishment, while not considered formal discipline, may also be considered.

Member and Guest Rights and Responsibilities Under This Policy

Any person who believes he or she has been the target of sexual harassment is encouraged to inform the offending person orally or in writing that such conduct is unwelcome and offensive and must stop.

If the person does not wish to communicate directly with the offending person, or if such communication has been ineffective, the person is encouraged to report the unwelcome conduct as soon as possible to any officer, who will take the appropriate action.