It is Holyoke Community College s intention to promote a workplace that is free of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment of employees occurring in the workplace or in other settings in which employees work in connection with their employment is unlawful, unacceptable, impermissible and intolerable.
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination.
Often, sexual harassment involves relationships of unequal power and contains elements of coercion as when compliance with requests for sexual favors becomes a criterion for granting work. However, sexual harassment may also involve relationships among equals, as when repeated sexual advances and demeaning verbal behaviors have a harmful effect on a person s ability to work. Further, any retaliation against an individual who has complained about sexual harassment or retaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of a sexual harassment complaint is similarly unlawful and will not be tolerated. To achieve our goal of providing a workplace free from sexual harassment, the conduct that is described in this policy will not be tolerated, and we have provided a procedure by which inappropriate conduct will be dealt with, if encountered by employees. A grievant may seek recourse through informal efforts or by filing a formal grievance in writing.