Staff members are required to treat one another with common courtesy and respect at all times, in order to create a work environment free from harassment. Harassment is defined as unwelcome or unsolicited verbal, physical or sexual conduct that interferes with a staff member’s job performance or which creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment.
Harassment can take the form of the following:
- Offensive, sexist, off-color or sexual remarks, jokes, slurs or comments that ridicule a person or group on the basis of race, color, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, creed, disability, national origin, ethnic background, military service or citizenship.
- Derogatory or suggestive posters, cartoons, photographs, calendars, drawings, computer screensavers or gestures.
- Inappropriate touching, hitting, pushing or other aggressive physical contacts or threats thereof.
Any staff member who feels that they, or someone they know, has been discriminated against or harassed should report such incidents to an Executive Pastor, Human Resources Director or to a pastor with whom they feel most comfortable. Retaliation against a staff member for discussing or making a harassment complaint in good faith will not be tolerated.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment may take the form of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature when such conduct creates an offensive, hostile and intimidating work environment and prevents an individual from effectively performing the duties of his or her position. Sexual harassment may also include a “quid pro quo” when such conduct is made a term or condition of employment or compensation, either implicitly or explicitly, or when an employment decision is based on an individual’s acceptance or rejection of such conduct.
RESPONSIBILITY
All Northview Church staff members are responsible for keeping our work environment free of harassment. Staff members are encouraged to make it clear to the alleged harasser that his or her behavior is unacceptable, offensive or inappropriate. Any staff member aware of harassment, whether by experiencing harassment, or by witnessing the incident or hearing of it, should report it to an Executive Pastor, Human Resources Director or to a pastor with whom he or she feels comfortable. No adverse employment action will be taken against any staff member making a good faith report of alleged harassment.
When Northview Church learns of the existence of harassment, it is obligated by law to act promptly and appropriately. Upon receiving a complaint, Northview Church will undertake an investigation, providing confidentiality, if practical and appropriate. Should the investigation determine that a staff member is guilty of harassing another staff member, volunteer or church attendee, disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment, will be taken against the offending staff member.
In addition, Northview Church prohibits any form of retaliatory action against any staff member for filing a complaint in good faith or for assisting in a complaint investigation. Staff members who unlawfully retaliate against another for filing or participating in a harassment complaint will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including immediate termination of employment.