ITEM TITLE:
Title
Consider amending Council Policy 3-1 Sexual Harassment to further define what sexual harassment is, the various forms that it may take (verbal, non-verbal and physical), expanding on who shall be covered by the policy, procedures to make a complaint and adding a section dealing with city employees and their interactions with citizens or other non-employees and sexual harassment that may arise from those interactions.
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INITIATOR: Craig Akard, Human Resources Director
STAFF INFORMATION SOURCE: Craig Akard, Human Resources Director
BACKGROUND: Sexual harassment is an ongoing issue within workplaces nationwide. There are various forms of sexual harassment and ever-changing definitions of what constitutes harassment. Council Policy 3-1 Sexual Harassment was last amended November 17, 1995. The changes would make the workplace safer by further enhancing the employees understanding of what sexual harassment is and how it can occur. There are also many employee/citizen interactions every day, whether inside a building or on a worksite and the possibility exists that a citizen may overhear an employee talking or making comments that could possibly be considered sexual harassment based on the content of the discussion, as well as non-verbal actions that could be taken. With the addition of the Interactions with Citizens section, employees should now be more considerate of our citizens while at work to make sure they do not make any comments or display actions that may be deemed to be sexually offensive. As we pursue excellence in our jobs and the work we do for our citizens, being more aware of citizens and the way they perceive our actions and comments shows that we are striving to provide world-class service and that we are doing everything we can for the citizens.
EXHIBIT: 1. Council Policy 3-1 Sexual Harassment with tracked changes; 2. Council Policy 3-1 Sexual Harassment clean copy.
KEY ISSUES: N/A
FUNDING SOURCE: N/A
STAFF RECOM...
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