Centerspace is committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated. Centerspace provides ongoing sexual harassment training to ensure you the opportunity to work in an environment free from sexual and other unlawful harassment.
Sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, or visual, verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This definition includes many forms of offensive behavior and includes gender-based harassment of a person of the same sex as the harasser. The following are some examples of sexual harassment:
- Unwanted sexual advances
- Offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors
- Making or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances
- Visual conduct that includes leering, making sexual gestures, or displaying of sexually suggestive objects or images
- Verbal conduct that includes making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs, or jokes
- Verbal sexual advances or propositions
- Verbal abuse of a sexual nature, graphic verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, or suggestive or obscene letters, notes, or invitations
- Physical conduct that includes touching, assaulting, or impeding or blocking movements
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when: (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment; (2) submission or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for making employment decisions; or (3) the conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
If you experience or witness sexual or other unlawful harassment in the workplace or while conducting business-related activities off Centerspace premises, report it immediately to your manager. If your manager is unavailable or you believe it would be inappropriate to involve that person, you should immediately contact the Talent & Culture department or another member of management. You can raise concerns and make reports in good faith without fear of reprisal or retaliation and are able to do so confidentially as outlined in our Whistleblower Policy. If you fear or believe that you have been retaliated against, you are encouraged to follow the complaint procedure outlined in the Whistleblower Policy. Centerspace will investigate your complaint and take appropriate action. Anyone who engages in retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
All allegations of sexual harassment will be quickly and discreetly investigated. To the extent possible, your confidentiality and that of any witnesses and the alleged harasser will be protected against unnecessary disclosure. You will be informed of the outcome of the investigation once it is complete.
Any manager or manager who becomes aware of possible sexual or other unlawful harassment must immediately advise the Talent & Culture department so it can be investigated in a timely and confidential manner. Anyone found to be engaging in sexual or other unlawful harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Related Policy: Whistleblower Policy
Also found in the Centerspace Team Member Handbook.