Harassment Policy
City of Sulphur, Louisiana strives to provide a work environment that is free from harassment. Therefore, City of Sulphur, Louisiana will not tolerate harassment based on age, race, gender, color, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance and other characteristics protected under state, federal or local law. This conduct is prohibited in any form at the workplace, at work-related functions or outside of work if it affects the workplace. This policy applies to all employees, clients, customers, guests, vendors and persons doing business with the City.
Harassment consists of unwelcome conduct toward an individual because of his or her age, race, gender, color, religion or other protected status when the conduct creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment.
Types of prohibited harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Verbal or written comments related to a trait someone possesses, including name-calling, jokes, slurs, negative stereotyping or threats
- Explicit or degrading verbal comments about another individual or his or her appearance
- Nonverbal conduct, such as staring, leering or giving inappropriate gifts
- Physical conduct, such as assault or unwanted touching
- Visual images, in hard copy or electronic form, relating to a trait someone possesses (for example, cartoons, drawings or pictures)
If you feel that you are being harassed, take the following steps:
- Tell the harasser that his or her actions are not welcome and they must stop, if you feel comfortable enough to do so
- Report the incident immediately to your supervisor or Human Resources representative
- Report any additional incidents or retaliation that may occur to your manager or site Human Resources representative
All reports will be investigated immediately and thoroughly. Complaints and actions taken to resolve complaints will be handled as confidentially as possible. Appropriate actions will be taken to stop and remedy such conduct, including interim measures during a period of investigation.
Retaliating or discriminating against an employee who reports harassment or a suspected incident of harassment or who cooperates in an investigation is prohibited. Employees who violate this policy or retaliate against an employee in any way will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
Appropriate performance reviews, counseling or discipline by your manager do not constitute harassment.
Sexual Harassment Policy
City of Sulphur, Louisiana prohibits sexual harassment of all kinds. This policy applies not only to employees, but also to clients, customers, guests, vendors and anyone else doing business with City of Sulphur, Louisiana. Any employee who feels that he or she has been a victim of sexual harassment, or who believes that he or she has witnessed sexual harassment, should notify Human Resources immediately.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is made a term or condition, either explicitly or implicitly, of an individual’s employment
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting that individual’s employment
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment
Sexual harassment includes many forms of offensive behavior, including the harassment of a person of the same gender as the harasser. Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Unwelcome sexual flirtation, advances or propositions
- Verbal comments related to an individual’s gender or sexual orientation
- Explicit or degrading verbal comments about another individual or his or her appearance
- The display of sexually suggestive pictures or objects in any workplace location, including transmission or display via computer
- Any sexually offensive or abusive physical conduct
- The taking of or the refusal to take any personnel action based on an employee’s submission to or rejection of sexual overtures
- Displaying cartoons or telling jokes which relate to an individual’s gender or sexual orientation
It is important to City of Sulphur, Louisiana that all employees are protected from harassment. Any incidents that are perceived as harassment will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken by City of Sulphur, Louisiana. All requirements of R.S. 42:432-344 are and will be filed annually.
