Workplace Abuse and Harassment Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to address issues of workplace abuse and harassment that arise at SunWater Spa. Workplace abuse and harassment is not tolerated at SunWater Spa, and any parties suspected of workplace abuse and harassment will be subject to investigation and disciplinary action.

It is the policy of SunWater Spa to maintain a work environment that is free from harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (harassment of a sexual nature, including same-gender and gender-identity harassment), national origin, age, disability (mental or physical) and sexual orientation, and also to maintain an environment that is free from retaliatory harassment based on opposition to discrimination or participation in the discrimination complaint process.

In addition, it is the policy of SunWater Spa that no retaliation will be tolerated against any employee for reporting harassment under this or any other policy or procedure, or for assisting in any inquiry about such a report.

Scope

This policy applies to interactions between employees at SunWater Spa. Employees who violate this policy are subject to disciplinary action. Managers who do not act on reports of workplace abuse or harassment are also subject to disciplinary action.

While vendors and clients will not attend SunWater Spa’s training or be subject to disciplinary action, employees are strongly encouraged to report any claims of workplace abuse and harassment that involve these parties.

Workplace abuse and harassment can occur at the worksite or workplace, in transit to the worksite or workplace, or through email or social media outlets. Abuse and harassment in any of these locations or mediums are forbidden.

Definitions

Workplace abuse can take the form of:

-   Workplace Bullying

·         Abusive or offensive language

·         Unwelcome behavior

·         Unreasonable insults or criticism

·         Teasing and/or spreading rumors

·         Trivializing of work or achievements

·         Exclusion or isolation

-       Workplace Violence

·         Unwanted physical contact or proximity

·         Threatening words and/or actions

·         Damage to an individual’s personal property

-       Sexual Harassment

·         Requests for favours

·         Unwanted verbal or physical advances

·         Derogatory or suggestive comments

·         Offensive gestures, images or language

Employee’s Responsibility

SunWater Spa does not tolerate workplace abuse in any form. Employees who witness workplace abuse or are themselves involved in an abusive situation are required to report the details of the situation to management immediately. If the abusive situation involves the employee’s direct manager, the employee may issue the report of abuse with another manager of his or her choosing at SunWater Spa.

Employer’s Responsibility

Any reports of abuse will be followed up immediately with a thorough investigation and, when necessary, corrective action will be taken. SunWater Spa will:

-   Listen to any charges issued by employees and treat all claims seriously.

-   Maintain a professional and respectful relationship with the reporting employee.

-   Focus solely on facts without issuing judgment.

-   Investigate immediately.

-   Maintain confidentiality throughout the investigation.

-   Prepare a chronology of the incident.

-   Gather information about other incidents, if the incident is not isolated.

-   Interview the claimant, the accused and any available witnesses.

-   Administer disciplinary action as appropriate to the case.

-   Conduct follow-up interviews with the claimant to ensure abuse and/or harassment has ceased.

Disciplinary Action

Appropriate to the severity and frequency of the incident, disciplinary action may be administered. Discipline may take the form of the following:

-   Written warning

-   Required completion of a workplace bullying or sexual harassment seminar or class

-   Temporary suspension from work environment

-   Probation

-   Transfer to a different position or department

-   Demotion

-   Dismissal