Sexual Harrassment Policy

COMPANY STATEMENT

The International Spy Museum is committed to providing a safe, flexible and respectful environment for staff and clients free from all forms of sexual harassment. All Spy Museum staff are required to treat others with dignity, courtesy and respect.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. The legal definition of sexual harassment is “unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature that is severe or pervasive and affects working conditions or creates a hostile work environment.”

What Are the Two Types of Sexual Harassment?

There are two types of sexual harassment that are legally recognized: Quid pro quo sexual harassment and Hostile environment sexual harassment

What is Quid Pro Quo Sexual Harassment?

Quid pro quo is a form of sexual harassment that occurs when an employee gets on the promotion track or even gets to keep his/her job based on if the employee submitted to or rejected sexual advances or other types of inappropriate sexual comments.

For example, if a supervisor were to tell an employee she would be more likely to be promoted if she dressed sexier, that would be considered quid pro quo sexual harassment.

*Remember, if an employee submits to the sexual advance or comment, it does not necessarily mean that the employee is then barred from ever making a complaint. If the employee should change her mind, she can still complain against the supervisor who made the comment.*

What is Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment?

This type of sexual harassment occurs when a co-worker or supervisor in the workplace makes sexual advances or comments to an employee that, while not affecting promotions or the future of the employee's job, makes the working environment of the employee offensive and hostile. In general, the comments tend to affect the employee's ability to do her job.

Some examples of hostile environment sexual harassment can be:

* Personal questions of a...