Harassment policy

UPLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Prevention Policy

Objective

Upland Chamber of Commerce is an equal opportunity organization committed to providing a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and any form of disrespectful or unprofessional conduct. This policy applies to all members, employees, and volunteers.

Protected Categories

Discrimination and harassment are prohibited based on the following characteristics:

  • Race
  • Religion (including religious dress and grooming practices)
  • Color
  • Sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, gender identity, and gender expression)
  • National origin (including language use restrictions)
  • Ancestry
  • Physical or mental disability
  • Medical condition
  • Genetic information
  • Marital status/registered domestic partner status
  • Age (40 and over)
  • Sexual orientation
  • Military or veteran status
  • Reproductive health decision-making
  • Off-the-job and off-premises use of cannabis/marijuana
  • Any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law

The policy also prohibits discrimination or harassment based on the perception that someone has any of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived to have any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who raise complaints or participate in investigations is strictly prohibited.

Expectations for a Courteous and Professional Workplace

To ensure a cooperative, efficient, and professional environment, all parties are expected to demonstrate good judgment, courtesy, and professionalism in their interactions. Disrespectful behavior, including gossiping, spreading rumors, spreading false, misleading or harmful statements about other employees, members managers, customers, vendors, or the family members of those individualsor engaging in unprofessional conduct, is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination or loss of employment or  membership.

Prohibited Conduct

Harassment, whether verbal, visual, physical, or digital, is prohibited. Examples include:

  • Verbal conduct: derogatory jokes, slurs, or unwanted sexual advances.
  • Visual displays: offensive posters, cartoons, or gestures.
  • Physical conduct: assault, unwanted touching, or blocking movement.
  • Retaliation for reporting harassment or discrimination.
  • Electronic communications that violate this policy.

Sexual harassment is prohibited regardless of intent or sexual desire and can include hostile acts based on gender.

Prohibited harassment is not just sexual harassment, but harassment based on any protected category.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity

Upland Chamber of Commerce is committed to complying with all applicable laws regarding equal employment opportunities. Pay discrimination is prohibited, and the company will not retaliate against employees for inquiring about or discussing wages.

Anti-Retaliation

The Upland Chamber of Commerce will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who files a complaint or participates in an investigation. Any member or employee found to be engaging in retaliation will face disciplinary action, up to and including termination or loss of membership.

Anti-Bullying

Bullying, defined as malicious conduct that causes harm and is unrelated to legitimate business interests, is prohibited. This applies to conduct by or against any employee, contractor, visitor, or member.

Reasonable Accommodation

The Upland Chamber of Commerce will provide reasonable accommodations for religious practices or disabilities unless doing so would cause undue hardship. Employees should discuss accommodation needs with their supervisor, and the Company will engage in an interactive process to determine appropriate accommodations.

Complaint Process

Employees who believe they have been subjected to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other prohibited conduct should report the incident to the the Executive Director, the Chief Executive Officer or to a board member of the organization, as soon as possible. Complaints will be treated with confidentiality to the extent possible and will be investigated promptly and impartially.

Investigation and Resolution

The Upland Chamber of Commerce will conduct a fair and thorough investigation of all complaints and take appropriate corrective action if necessary. Employees or members found responsible for prohibited conduct will face disciplinary action, up to and including termination or loss of membership.

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If you believe that you have been the subject of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other prohibited conduct, bring your complaint to the CEO or designee as soon as possible after the incident.  You can bring your complaint to any of these individuals.  Please provide all known details of the incident or incidents, names of individuals involved and names of any witnesses.  It would be best to communicate your complaint in writing, but this is not mandatory.

The Organization encourages all individuals to report any incidents of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other prohibited conduct forbidden by this policy immediately so that complaints can be quickly and fairly resolved. 

When the organization receives allegations of misconduct, it will immediately undertake a fair, timely, thorough, and objective investigation of the allegations in accordance with all legal requirements.  The organization will reach reasonable conclusions based on the evidence collected.

The organization will maintain confidentiality to the extent possible.  However, the organization cannot promise complete confidentiality.  The organization’s duty to investigate and take corrective action may require the disclosure of information to individuals with a need to know. 

Complaints will be:

  • Responded to in a timely manner
  • Kept confidential to the extent possible
  • Investigated impartially by qualified personnel in a timely manner
  • Documented and tracked for reasonable progress
  • Given appropriate options for remedial action and resolution
  • Closed in a timely manner     

If the organization determines that harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or other prohibited conduct has occurred, appropriate and effective corrective and remedial action will be taken in accordance with the circumstances involved.  The Organization also will take appropriate action to deter future misconduct.

The Upland Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and safe work environment. All employees and members are expected to adhere to this policy, and any violations will be addressed promptly to ensure the well-being of all concerned.

Revision Date:

September 25, 2024