Joint School District No. 2Employee Training

PREVENTING SCHOOL-BASED OR WORK-BASED

HARASSMENT

Harassment is illegal under the provisions of both federal and state law

All employees and students have the right to work and learn in an atmosphere that promotes equal opportunities free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that could be harassing, coercive, or disruptive

HARASSMENT IS ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR

Responsibility of all employees to act in accordance with this policy:◦ Duty to report

Staff to Staff Staff to Student Student to Staff Student to Student

◦ Includes conduct on or off district premises that has an effect on an employee’s work environment or a student’s educational environment

HARASSMENT POLICY 403.71

Includes all buildings, facilities, and property owned or leased by, Joint School District No. 2, including school buses, other school vehicles, or the location of any school- sponsored activity or function whether an employee is supervising or attending on their personal time.

In addition, district property is defined as any dual-enrollment setting that includes, but is not limited to, Meridian Professional Technical Center, Meridian Night School, Meridian District summer high school and middle school summer school, Treasure Valley Math and Science, and the Dehryl Dennis Center.

DISTRICT PROPERTY DEFINED

Unwanted behavior that can be….

Verbal Written Non-verbal Graphic Sexual Physical

…and is directed at an individual or group on the basis of:

Race Color National Origin Disability Religion Sex Age

HARASSMENT DEFINED

Intimidation or bullying behavior

Control Misuse of power Denial of equality

Blatant Subtle Single incident Pattern of

behavior

WHAT DOES HARASSMENT “LOOK” LIKE?

Severe, pervasive, persistent enough to interfere with or limit the ability of a person to participate in or benefit from district programs or employment

Single, significant incident

EVIDENCE OF HARASSMENT CAN BE

Graffiti Derogatory

statements Text messages Social networking

postings Email

Slogans Racial slurs Nicknames Taunting Visual displays

◦Cartoons◦Posters◦Photographs

Sexual harassment is a form of misconduct that includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, unwelcome physical contact or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

Sexual Harassment

Employee/student submission is made either as an implicit or explicit term or condition of employment or education

Submission or rejection is used as a basis for decisions affecting employment or an educational decision affecting a student

Conduct by supervisors, other employees or volunteers interferes with performance by creating a hostile work or learning environment

Verbal• Unwelcome verbal statements, innuendoes,

propositions, threats, jokes, obscene comments, being called gay or lesbian

Nonverbal• Suggestive objects, pictures, graphic commentaries,

suggestive or insulting noises, obscene gestures, whistling, leering and stalking, pictures, notes

Physical• Flashing, mooning• Clothing pulled at, off, or down in a sexual way• Stalking or unwelcome sexually-motivated attention

SEXUAL HARASSMENT BEHAVIORS

Any district employee who receives a report of harassment from a student, becomes aware that a student is being subjected to harassment, or, in good faith believes that a student is be subjected to harassment, is required to report the matter to the building administrator immediately

Any district employee who witnesses harassment of a student should take immediate, appropriate action to intervene to stop the harassment

STUDENT HARASSMENT-- POLICY 502.70

Firmly and promptly notify offender that his/her behavior is unwelcome

If that is not feasible:◦ Report to supervisor, building principal or

Human Resources Director◦ Unresolved complaints are directed to Human

Resources Director◦ Employee can also file with the IHRC or the

EEOC

REPORTING STAFF COMPLAINTS

Student or parent should immediately report the situation to school personnel

Any employee who receives a report or believes in good faith that a student is being harassed is required to report the matter to the building administration

If the offender is the building administrator, the matter must be reported to the superintendent or designee

REPORTING STUDENT COMPLAINTS

An allegation of harassment, including sexual harassment, will be promptly investigated in a confidential manner to protect the privacy of all individuals involved.

When adult harassment allegations are brought to their attention, administrators and supervisors must take affirmative steps to stop harassment by subordinates, or non-employees, including warning, discipline and recommending possible probation or dismissal

When student harassment is brought to their attention administrators must follow the steps in the student harassment policy (502.70) ; administrators have 10 days in which to complete the investigation

Complaints not resolved at the immediate supervisory/administrative level will be investigated by the District’s Human Resources director

The district will keep and maintain a written record of the incident and investigation in perpetuity

INVESTIGATION

The district will not retaliate in any way against an individual who makes a report nor will permit any district employee to do so

Anyone who assist individuals who believe they have been subjected will also be protected from retaliation

Any employee/student found to have retaliated may be subject to the same disciplinary action of the harasser

RETALIATION IS ILLEGAL

Would I want my comments or behavior to appear in the newspaper or on T.V.?

Is this something I would do or say in front of my parents, significant other, or children?

Is this something I would do or say if the other person’s significant other were present?

Is this something I would do or say in front of a person of another race, gender, religion, disability?

SELF-REFLECTION

All schools should be a safe place in which to work and learn. It should be every employee’s goal to assist in creating and maintaining a positive and welcoming school climate free of intimidation and fear. As an employee of Joint School District No. 2, please familiarize yourself with both the staff harassment policy 403.71 and the student harassment policy 502.70. If you have any questions about this presentation or harassment please seek out your building administrator for clarification and guidance.