Business Conduct Ethics - modec

The most common form of harassment is sexual harassment, andspecial attention should be paid to the prohibition of sexual harassment.Sexual harassment may include a range of behaviors and may involveindividuals of the same or different gender.Examples of Harassing BehaviorsUnwanted sexual advances or requests for sexual favorsUnwelcome remarks, gestures, or physical contactThe display of sexually explicit or offensive pictures orother materialsSexual or offensive jokes or comments (explicit or by innuendo)Verbal abuse, threats, or tauntingDepiction of harassers as victims or of victims as complainersUnwelcome personal letters or emailsAll reported occurrences of harassment will be thoroughly investigatedin strictest confidence and appropriately dealt with in accordance withlocal and regional dispute resolution practices and policies, unlessspecial procedures are considered appropriate.Our ResponsibilitiesUnderstand and follow MODEC Human Resources policies andprocedures.Maintain a productive work environment that is professional andfree from harassment.If possible, be direct, speak up, and tell a person if you are upset byhis or her actions or language. Explain why and ask him or her tostop. Make a formal complaint if the matter is serious or if you areuncomfortable taking a direct approach.Even if you believe your acts or words are innocent, if someone saysyou are offending them and asks you to stop, do so at once.Don’t distribute or display offensive material, including written,recorded, or electronically transmitted messages (such as email,instant messaging, and Internet materials).If you are a supervisor, never use your position of authority toharass or intimidate others.Additional Resources for More InformationFor more information on preventing harassment, refer to the GlobalHuman Resources Code of Employer-Employee Relations Policy and theGlobal Human Resources Productive Work Environment Policy or talk toyour Human Resources Representative.QUESTION: While on abusiness trip, a colleague ofmine repeatedly asked me outfor drinks and made commentsabout my appearance that mademe uncomfortable. I asked himto stop, but he wouldn’t. Weweren’t in the office, and it was‘after hours’. What do I do if thishappens again?ANSWER: This type ofconduct is not tolerated, not onlyduring working hours but in allwork-related situations, includingbusiness trips. Be firm, and tellyour colleague such actions areinappropriate and must be stopped.If they continue, you need toreport the problem to your HumanResources Representative.QUESTION: I am a supervisor.I just learned that a good friendof mine, who is also a MODECEmployee, has been accusedof sexual harassment, and aninvestigation is being launched. Ican’t believe it’s true, and I thinkit’s only fair that I give my friend a‘heads up’ so he can defend himself.Don’t I have a responsibility as afriend to tell him?ANSWER: No. As a leader,under no circumstances shouldyou give him advance warning or a‘heads up.’ Your friend will be giventhe opportunity to respond to theseallegations, and every effort will bemade to conduct a fair and impartialinvestigation. An allegation of sexualharassment is a very serious matterwith implications not only for theindividuals involved but also forMODEC. Alerting your friend couldjeopardize the investigation andexpose MODEC to additional riskand possible costs.13