Illinois SMP Harassment Policy

Definition of Harassment

Harassment is any behavior that demeans, humiliates, or embarrasses a person and that a reasonable person should have known would be unwelcome. It includes actions (e.g. touching, pushing), comments (e.g. jokes, name-calling), or displays (e.g. posters, cartoons). It may be a single incident or continue over time. Harassment is also a breach of human rights on protected grounds such as race, religion, color, gender, veteran’s status, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, disability, political activity, marital status, sexual orientation, sex, age or any other characteristic protected by law is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Disrespectful behavior, also known as “personal” harassment, is prohibited at the SMP. While it also involves unwelcome behavior that demeans or embarrasses someone, the behavior is not based on one of the prohibited grounds named above.

Sexual harassment is conduct based on sex, whether directed toward a person of the opposite or same sex. Examples include, but are not limited to: jokes, slurs or degrading comments of a sexual nature; offensive sexual flirtations; sexual advances or propositions; graphic verbal commentaries about an individual or his or her appearance; sexual innuendo or suggestive comments; sexually-oriented “teasing” or “joking”; unwanted physical touching, such as patting or pinching another person’s body; display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects, pictures, or other visual materials; and obscene or harassing use of telecommunications or other technology.

Abuse of authority, also prohibited at the SMP, occurs when a person uses authority unreasonably to interfere with a person or their work. It includes humiliation, intimidation, threats, and coercion. It does not include normal managerial activities, such as counseling, performance evaluation, and discipline, as long as these are not being done in a discriminatory manner.

Work with Your Coordinator to Report Harassment

All SMP Coordinators have a responsibility to stop harassment. Everything is done to stop it as soon as it is detected, whether or not a complaint has been made. Appropriate corrective action and disciplinary measures are taken where harassment has occurred.

Volunteers should report to their SMP Coordinator immediately if they are made to feel uncomfortable on the job through any behaviors or comments of beneficiaries, staff or other volunteers.

Please use the official Illinois SMP Incident Reporting Form, Appendix C in the Illinois SMP Volunteer Handbook to report any issues of harassment or call AgeOptions at (800)699-9043.

Questions

For any questions or for support regarding a matter of harassment in the Illinois SMP Program, please contact the SMP Volunteer Specialist at AgeOptions at (800)699-9043.

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