13.4 Sexual Harassment (Policy Against)
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Any harassment of an associate, whether agent, employee or applicant, because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, military status, or handicap is clearly prohibited and will not be condoned. Sexual harassment is one particular form of discrimination which is illegal and violates the company's longstanding equal employment opportunity policy. The Company maintains a strong policy prohibiting any form of sexual harassment.
Any agent or employee who has been found to have sexually harassed another agent or employee will be subject to appropriate discipline including discharge from association or employment.
This policy applies equally to any work-related sexual harassment by or to both men and women employed by or associated with the company or who deal with the company in our business, and it is not limited to supervisor/employee or manager/agent relations or to conduct occurring on premises or during working hours.
Any agent or employee who believes that he/she is being or has been sexually harassed by another agent or employee should promptly take one or more of the following steps:
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If appropriate, discuss the situation directly with the person whom you feel is harassing you and politely request that the person cease harassing you because you do not like or welcome his/her conduct. You might also add that if such conduct does not cease altogether, you will take further steps under this procedure. (If the person involved is a customer or client, please refer the complaint to senior management instead.)
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If you believe that some adverse employment consequences may result from your discussions with that person, or if the harassment continues, go to a higher level of supervision including any senior executive of the company. You may be required to state in writing the specific details of the harassing behavior including date, time, place and witnesses, if any.
An investigation of any complaint will be undertaken immediately. All complaints will be handled in a prompt, confidential manner insofar as the investigation permits. There will be no adverse action directed toward any complaining agent, employee, or witness as a result of making or supporting the complaint, unless there clearly was bad faith.
