Opinion ID: 613272
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The First Judicial District's Sexual Harassment Policy

Text: The First Judicial District has adopted the sexual harassment and discrimination policy formally promulgated by the Kansas Judicial Branch in the Kansas Court Personnel Rules (the Rules). The sexual harassment policy prohibits sexual harassment, defines the proscribed conduct, details how and to whom employees should make a sexual harassment complaint, explains the complaint investigation process, and includes an anti-retaliation provision. Under the policy, the court administrator is responsible for receiving complaints of sexual harassment (either from the victimized employee or from the supervisor to whom the employee complained), notifying the Office of Judicial Administration (the OJA), and coordinating a response with the OJA. When the allegations involve a judge, the OJA works with the Kansas Commission on Judicial Qualifications (the KCJQ) to conduct an investigation. The Kansas Judicial Branch Employee Handbook (the Handbook) contains a section regarding the First Judicial District's sexual harassment policy. That section provides, in part, as follows: An employee who believes he or she has been subjected to unlawful harassment should bring the concern to the immediate supervisor, appointing authority, or the Director of Personnel. Employees will not be retaliated against for making a sexual harassment complaint. All complaints are taken seriously and a confidential investigation will be conducted promptly. (Aplt.App., vol. II at 248.) All court employees receive a copy of the Handbook and are required to submit an acknowledgment form indicating that they have read and understand the policies contained therein. Helm received a copy of the Handbook, read through it, and signed the acknowledgment form. [3] She kept a copy of the Handbook in her desk drawer at work. The First Judicial District provides sexual harassment training to management-level employees but does not provide such training to non-management employees like Helm. It disseminates the sexual harassment policy to non-management employees only via the Handbook and the Rules.