Anti-Harassment Policy

To:  ALL EMPLOYEES

I have always been and continue to be firmly committed to promoting a policy that provides all employees with a workplace that is free of harassment. Such a workplace provides a setting where employees can feel valued and safe.
There are two forms of harassment. One form is unwelcome conduct that unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or that otherwise adversely affects employment opportunities. It is based upon an individual’s protected class which includes race, color, religion, sex (sexual or non-sexual), national origin, age, disability, and reprisal. Another form is sexual harassment defined as any unwelcome verbal, nonverbal or physical advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment: (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for decisions about employment, promotion, transfer, selection for training, performance evaluations, benefits, or other terms and conditions of employment; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or substantially interferes with an employee’s work performance.
Employees who feel they are being harassed should report the incident immediately through their chain of command before it becomes severe or pervasive. If an employee believes that reporting the incident through their chain of command is a conflict of interest, the employee can contact the Forest Service Office of Civil Rights located in the Washington Office at 202-205-1585. Once an incident has been reported, a prompt, thorough, and impartial inquiry will be completed and appropriate corrective action, including discipline or removal, will be taken. To the extent possible, all reports of harassment will be handled in a discreet and confidential manner.
Harassment in any form is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. I encourage employees to be aware of the legal requirements regarding harassment issues, i.e., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Guidelines at 29 CFR § 1604.11, and Executive Order 14087. Please contact your local Civil Rights Office for guidance and clarification of these laws.