The Wharton Club of Chicago (“WCC”) is committed to providing an environment that is free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is against the law and will not be tolerated. When the WCC determines that an allegation of sexual harassment is credible, it will take prompt and appropriate corrective action.
Sexual Harassment Is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
- A decision about a position or role affecting that individual is made because the individual submitted to or rejected the unwelcome conduct; or
- The unwelcome conduct unreasonably interferes with an individual’s volunteer performance/member participation or creates an intimidating, hostile, or abusive environment.
Certain behaviors, such as conditioning promotions, awards, training or other member or volunteer benefits upon acceptance of unwelcome actions of a sexual nature, are always wrong.
Unwelcome actions such as the following are inappropriate and, depending on the circumstances, may in and of themselves meet the definition of sexual harassment or contribute to a hostile volunteer or member environment:
- Sexual pranks, or repeated sexual teasing, jokes, or innuendo, in person or via e-mail;
- Verbal abuse of a sexual nature;
- Touching or grabbing of a sexual nature;
- Repeatedly standing too close to or brushing up against a person;
- Giving gifts or leaving objects that are sexually suggestive;
- Repeatedly making sexually suggestive gestures;
- Making or posting sexually demeaning or offensive pictures, cartoons or other materials in the WCC environment;
- Any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that affects participation in the WCC environment. A victim of sexual harassment can be a man or a woman. The victim can be of the same sex as the harasser. The harasser can be another volunteer or member of the organization, or a contractor with a business relationship with WCC.
If the WCC receives an allegation of sexual harassment, or has reason to believe sexual harassment is occurring, it will take the necessary steps to ensure that the matter is promptly investigated and addressed. If the allegation is determined to be credible, the WCC will take immediate and effective measures to end the unwelcome behavior. The WCC is committed to take action if it learns of possible sexual harassment, even if the individual does not wish to file a formal complaint.
The WCC Board of Directors is the main contact point for questions or concerns about sexual harassment. The WCC Board of Directors has responsibility for investigating or overseeing investigations of alleged sexual harassment. The WCC Board of Directors is committed to ensuring that all investigations of sexual harassment are conducted in a prompt, thorough, and impartial manner.
Responsible WCC leadership who observe, are informed of, or reasonably suspect incidents of possible sexual harassment must immediately report such incidents with the WCC Board of Directors, which will either initiate or oversee a prompt investigation. Failure to report such incidents to the WCC Board of Directors will be considered a violation of this policy. The WCC Board of Directors will provide guidance as needed on investigating and handling the potential harassment and should take effective measures to ensure no further apparent or alleged harassment occurs pending completion of an investigation.
The WCC will seek to protect the identities of the alleged victim and harasser, except as reasonably necessary (for example, to complete an investigation successfully). The WCC will also take the necessary steps to protect from retaliation those who in good faith report incidents of potential sexual harassment. It is a violation of both federal law and this policy to retaliate against someone who has reported possible sexual harassment.
Members of the WCC community who have been found by The WCC to have subjected another to unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether such behavior meets the legal definition of sexual harassment or not, will be subject repercussions as deemed appropriate by the WCC Board of Directors.
Members’ Rights and Responsibilities Under This Policy
Any volunteer or member who believes he or she has been the target of sexual harassment is encouraged to inform the offending person orally or in writing that such conduct is unwelcome and offensive and must stop.
If the volunteer or member does not wish to communicate directly with the offending person, or if such communication has been ineffective, volunteers or members are encouraged to report the unwelcome conduct as soon as possible to a Director on the Board for the WCC. In addition to reporting sexual harassment concerns to a Board Member, employees who believe they have been subjected to sexual harassment may elect to pursue resolution through:
- Mediation: Mediation is an informal way to resolve office problems using a trained mediator who facilitates communication between the parties to the dispute. If a volunteer or member chooses to attempt resolution through mediation, the WCC is obligated to send a representative to the table. If a resolution is not reached, the parties may continue to pursue their rights in any other appropriate forum. Volunteers or members may ask for the assistance of a mediator by contacting the WCC Board of Directors.
Contact Information
The WCC Board of Directors can be contacted reaching out to any member on the board individually found on the website (https://www.whartonclubchicago.com/) by telephone at (312) 371-5862, or by email at [email protected].
All WCC members, volunteers and contractors are required to comply with this policy both internally and with regard to external individuals interfacing with the WCC. Members, volunteers and contractors are also expected to behave professionally and to exercise good judgment in WCC-related relationships. Further, all members, volunteers and contractors are expected to take appropriate measures to prevent sexual harassment. Unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature should be stopped before it becomes severe or pervasive and rises to a violation of law.