SOP_NUMBER: 104.46-att-1 TITLE: Commissioner's Statement Prohibiting Unlawful Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment) REFERENCE_CODE: IVO13-0003 DIVISION: Administrative & Finance TOPIC_AREA: 104 Policy-HR Appearance/Conduct/Evaluations EFFECTIVE_DATE: 2017-06-30 WORD_COUNT: 425 POWERDMS_URL: https://public.powerdms.com/GADOC/documents/105276 URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/104.46-att-1/ SUMMARY: This is an acknowledgment form requiring all Georgia Department of Corrections personnel to certify that they have read and understand the Department's policy prohibiting unlawful harassment and sexual harassment. The statement defines prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics (race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability) and sexual conduct, and outlines reporting procedures and protections against retaliation. Employees must sign the form acknowledging their understanding that violations can result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. KEY_TOPICS: harassment policy, sexual harassment, unlawful harassment, workplace harassment, retaliation protection, employee conduct, discrimination, reporting harassment, employee acknowledgment form, personnel records ATTACHMENTS: 1. Commissioner's Statement Prohibiting Unlawful Harassment (Including Sexual Harassment) URL: https://gps.press/sop-data/104.46-att-1/ ======================================================================== FULL TEXT: ======================================================================== SOP 104.46 Attachment 1 6/30/2017 # GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS **COMMISSIONER'S STATEMENT PROHIBITING UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT** **(INCLUDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT)** It is the commitment of this Department to provide all personnel a work environment conducive to personal and professional satisfaction, while at the same time achieving the goals and mission of this Department. The Department wishes to provide all personnel with a clear understanding of unlawful harassment and its adverse impact upon the working relationships within this Department and with outside parties. All personnel are hereby forewarned that unlawful harassment and unlawful retaliation of any personnel of this Department by other personnel or individuals conducting business with the Department is unlawful, strictly prohibited by Departmental policy, and a basis for disciplinary up to and including termination. **Unlawful harassment** includes, verbal, electronic, written or physical conduct that disparages or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of that person’s race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability. **Sexual harassment** includes unwelcome sexual reference, allusions, "humor," advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, written, electronic, or physical conduct or interactions of a sexual nature as defined by the Departmental policy and procedures related to this subject. Employees shall report all events of unlawful harassment and unlawful retaliation against themselves or others to any supervisor in their chain of command, the Director of Human Resources (478) 992-5211), or Director of Professional Standards (478) 992-5341 and outside of normal business hours to the Communications Center (478) 992-5111. Individuals who, in good faith, report unlawful harassment will be protected from retaliation or reprisals of any kind. The initial report, and any subsequent investigation, will be treated with confidentiality. Confidentiality and protection from retaliation will be provided to personnel who participate in any aspect of an investigation or any subsequent disciplinary process. Personnel are encouraged to help safeguard our organization from irresponsible behavior. We solicit your support in promoting a work environment which will be free of unlawful harassment, retaliation or other similarly inappropriate conduct. # GDC COMMISSIONER I hereby declare that I have read the Commissioner's Statement regarding unlawful harassment (including sexual harassment) of personnel or individuals conducting business with the Georgia Department of Corrections. I further understand that unlawful harassment and retaliation violate this policy and are basis for disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from employment. My signature below acknowledges that I am aware that this statement becomes a part of my official personnel records. Employee's Signature _____________________________________ Date Signed: ___________________ Employee's Printed Name _________________________________ Employee ID#: __________________ Record Retention: Upon completion, this form shall be retained permanently in the employee’s official and local personnel file.