Answer to Question #260756 in Management for Tanveer

Question

To whom sexual harassment at workplace be reported and how should such reporting of harassment be dealt with?

Answer 1

It is important to report all concerns of sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual conduct to the HR director or a supervisor/manager as soon as possible. Management must be made aware of the situation so that it can conduct an immediate and impartial investigation and take appropriate action to remediate or prevent the prohibited conduct from continuing.

Managers and supervisors must deal expeditiously and fairly when they have any knowledge of sexual harassment within their departments, whether or not there has been a written or formal complaint. They must:

Take all complaints or concerns of alleged or possible harassment seriously no matter how minor or who is involved.

Report all incidents to HR immediately so that a prompt investigation can occur.

Take any appropriate action to prevent retaliation or prohibited conduct from recurring during and after any investigations or complaints.

Managers and supervisors who knowingly allow or tolerate sexual harassment or retaliation, including the failure to immediately report such misconduct to HR, are in violation of this policy and subject to discipline.