The Village Board has changed the village personnel manual to ban all forms of workplace harassment, instead of just sexual harassment.
“I am recommending the policy change in an effort to reduce the village’s exposure to liability, as well as definitively communicate the village’s commitment to an environment free of all forms of harassment,” said personnel services director Caryl Maurer.
The new policy specifically bans derogatory comments based on race, religion, national origin, skin color, disability, medical condition, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender or age. It defines physical harassment as assault, blocking the victim’s movement, physically interfering with the victim’s work, depriving the victim of privacy, and making threats or promises to coerce the victim into physical interaction.
The policy also prohibits village employees from posting photos, posters, cartoons, e-mails or notes that could be considered offensive.
Complaints of workplace harassment must be made in writing and will be investigated within five working days of receipt by village management. The investigator will produce a written report within 10 working days of receiving the complaint.
Employees found guilty of harassment can be fired. Employees who feel the village’s resolution of a harassment complaint is unfair can appeal to the Illinois Department of Human Rights.