Policy Statement on Sexual Harassment - Reaffirmed

Date: Wed, 03 Apr 1996 14:44:54 -0400
From: JENNIFER L WILLIAMSON <jwillia2>
To: "USGS Employees"<distribution>
Subject:  Policy Statement on Sexual Harassment - Reaffirmed




MEMORANDUM




To:		All Employees

From:		Gordon P. Eaton
		Director

Subject:	Policy Statement on Sexual Harassment - Reaffirmed

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has long supported the goal of the
elimination of all forms of sexual harassment in our workplace.  The
purpose of this message is to reaffirm our policy on sexual harassment
and focus our efforts on prevention.  We are committed to providing a
workplace environment free from sexual harassment and all forms of
discrimination.  Our goal is to create an atmosphere that enhances
human dignity and highlights mutual respect.  

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that is prohibited under
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.  Simply stated,
sexual harassment is any unacceptable, inappropriate, and demeaning
behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, and offensive work
environment.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has issued guidelines
defining sexual harassment.  These guidelines provide that:

	Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and     
           other verbal and physical contact of a sexual nature constitute      
           harassment when:

		? submission to such conduct is made a term or condition  
                          of an individual?s employment;

		? submission to or rejection of such conduct forms the       
                          basis of an employment decision affecting such an          
                          individual; or

		? such conduct has the purpose or effect interfering with  
                          work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or   
                          offensive work environment.

Although the obvious forms of sexual harassment are easily defined, a
wide spectrum of more subtle behaviors constitutes sexual harassment
when these behaviors create a hostile or offensive work environment. 
These behaviors include sexual teasing, propositions, sexual jokes,
indecent or vulgar remarks; staring or ogling that causes humiliation;
posting or displaying sexually-oriented pictures, cartoons, or other visual
materials that are viewed as offensive; and sending offensive e-mail
messages.  Whether certain behavior constitutes sexual harassment
depends not only on the intent behind the behavior, but also on the
perceptions of those affected.  Our policy is clear--such behavior will
not be tolerated.

Any USGS employee who engages in sexual harassment while
conducting official business with other USGS employees, other Federal
agency employees, persons employed in the private sector, or members
of the public violates USGS standards of conduct.  Supervisors and
managers are expected to take immediate and appropriate corrective
action to address any issue of sexual harassment.  No such issue will
be ignored, and no employee will be subject to reprisal for having raised
an issue of sexual harassment.  Violations of USGS policy prohibiting
sexual harassment will result in disciplinary action ranging from
reprimand to removal of the offending supervisor or employee.

USGS employees should expect to work in an environment free of
barriers to sexual equality.  Your firm support of this policy on sexual
harassment is a decisive contribution to our goal of creating such an
environment for all of our employees.