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POLICIES AGAINST HARASSMENT & VIOLENCE 

Anti-Harassment and Anti-Violence Policy

Applies to: All employees, clients, contractors, volunteers, vendors, and visitors

Purpose

FosterAdopt Connect is committed to maintaining a workplace and service environment free from all forms of harassment, violence, discrimination, intimidation, and retaliation. This policy applies to all individuals involved in agency operations, including staff, clients, vendors, contractors, and volunteers. The goal is to create and preserve a culture of dignity, respect, and safety.

1. Prohibition of Harassment

FosterAdopt Connect strictly prohibits all forms of workplace harassment, including but not limited to:

  • Sexual harassment
  • Verbal or physical harassment
  • Written or visual harassment
  • Harassment based on protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by law

Harassment is prohibited when it:

  1. Creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or service environment;
  2. Unreasonably interferes with an individual’s work performance or service experience;
  3. Adversely affects an individual’s employment or ability to receive services.

This policy applies to all conduct involving staff, clients, visitors, contractors, and vendors.

2. Harassment Toward Clients

Harassment of clients or their family members is strictly prohibited. Employees are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and care when interacting with those we serve. If an employee is disciplined or terminated for inappropriate conduct involving a client, they are prohibited from any further contact with that client or their family—this includes communication by phone, text, social media, or any other method.

3. Policy Against Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other conduct of a sexual nature when:

  • Submission is a condition of employment or services;
  • Submission or rejection influences employment or service decisions;
  • The conduct interferes with work or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

  • Lewd or suggestive comments or jokes
  • Sexual innuendo, catcalls, or whistles
  • Obscene or offensive emails, photos, or gifts
  • Repeated unwelcome requests for dates
  • Any physical advances or unwanted touching

4. Other Forms of Workplace Harassment

Harassment is not limited to sexual conduct. Other prohibited behaviors include:

  • Use of slurs, stereotypes, threats, or intimidating acts
  • Derogatory jokes or name-calling
  • Written or graphic material displaying hostility or intolerance
  • Disciplining employees publicly in a humiliating or demeaning way
  • Displaying symbols or items associated with hate or bias

Sharing a colleague's personal health or mental health information without their permission is also a violation of this policy.

5. Anti-Violence Policy

FosterAdopt Connect maintains a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Physical assault, fighting, or threats
  • Intimidating or aggressive behavior
  • Use or possession of weapons (e.g., firearms, knives, tasers) on agency property or during agency activities
  • Throwing or using objects in a threatening manner
  • Retaliatory violence or harassment
  • Any violent behavior between staff and clients or among clients

All employees are responsible for de-escalating conflict and reporting threatening behavior.

6. Reporting and Complaint Procedure

Anyone who experiences or witnesses’ harassment, discrimination, or violence should report it immediately to:

  • Their supervisor
  • The Director of Human Resources
  • The CEO/Founder
  • Via an internal complaint or grievance form

All reports will be handled promptly, confidentially, and with respect. FosterAdopt Connect is committed to thorough and fair investigations, and to taking appropriate corrective action. The complete grievance procedure is listed in section 9.4.

7. Protection Against Retaliation

No employee or client will be retaliated against for:

  • Filing a complaint
  • Participating in an investigation
  • Reporting policy violations in good faith

Retaliation is grounds for immediate disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

8. Disciplinary Consequences

Anyone found in violation of this policy may face consequences including:

  • Verbal or written warnings
  • Suspension
  • Demotion
  • Termination of employment or services
  • Removal from agency property
  • Reporting to law enforcement if applicable

9. Commitment to a Safe and Respectful Environment

FosterAdopt Connect is committed to fostering a culture where staff and clients alike feel:

  • Respected and valued
  • Safe and supported
  • Empowered to speak up
  • Protected from harm

Questions or Concerns?
Contact: Pamela Hulse
Director of Human Resources & Administration
📞 816-659-9356
📧 pamela.hulse@fosteradopt.org