Sexual Harassment Policy Statement

The Kaplan center board is in the process of making minor revisions to this template about sexual harassment recommended to 501c 3 non-profits by the IRS.   In the interim, we will be guided by the spirit of the guidelines which lawyers have advised us are essentially sound. 

This policy is based on common practices and includes all the components which make a sexual harassment policy comprehensive, and any effective policy must include most if not all of the content of this sample sexual harassment policy.

The Kaplan Center is committed to providing a safe environment for all its employees free from discrimination on any ground and from harassment at work including sexual harassment.

The Kaplan Center will operate a zero tolerance policy for any form of sexual harassment in the workplace, treat all incidents seriously and promptly investigate all allegations of sexual harassment. Any person found to have sexually harassed another will face disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from employment.

All complaints of sexual harassment will be taken seriously and treated with respect and in confidence. No one will be victimized for making such a complaint.

Definition of sexual harassment in a workplace

Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which makes a person feel offended, humiliated and/or intimidated. It includes situations where a person is asked to engage in sexual activity as a condition of that person’s employment, as well as situations which create an environment which is hostile, intimidating or humiliating for the recipient.

Sexual harassment can involve one or more incidents and actions constituting harassment may be physical, verbal and non-verbal. Examples of conduct or behavior which constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:

Physical sexual conduct

• Unwelcome physical contact including patting, pinching, stroking, kissing, hugging, fondling, or inappropriate touching
• Physical violence, including sexual assault
• Physical contact, e.g. touching, pinching
• The use of job-related threats or rewards to solicit sexual favors

Verbal sexual conduct

• Comments on a worker’s appearance, age, private life, etc.
• Sexual comments, stories and jokes
• Sexual advances
• Repeated and unwanted social invitations for dates or physical intimacy
• Insults based on the gender of the worker
• Condescending or paternalistic remarks
• Sending sexually explicit messages (by phone or by email)

Non-verbal sexual conduct

• Display of sexually explicit or suggestive material
• Sexually-suggestive gestures
• Whistling
• Leering