A learning and working environment that is free from any form of sexual harassment is essential and shall be maintained. It shall be a violation of policy for any employee of the Northwest Cooperative to harass another individual in the workplace. Any violation of this policy shall be considered grounds for disciplinary action including possible termination.

Definitions:

“Sexual harassment” consists of unwelcome sexual advances; sexual advances to students by staff, whether welcome or not; requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when made by any member of the school staff to a student or to another staff member where:

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person's employment or educational development;
2. Submission to or a rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for any employment or education decisions affecting such individual; or
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work or educational performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Sexual harassment, by definition, may include but is not limited to:

• Uninvited sex-oriented verbal “kidding” or demeaning sexual innuendoes, leers, gestures, teasing, sexually explicit or obscene jokes, remarks or questions of a sexual nature.
• Graphic or suggestive comments about an individual's dress or body.
• Displaying sexually explicit objects, photographs, or drawings.
• Unwelcome touching, patting, pinching or constant brushing against another's body.
• Suggesting or demanding sexual involvement of any student or other employee whether or not such suggestions or demands are accompanied by implicit or explicit threats concerning one's grades, educational opportunities, employment status, or similar personal concerns.