For the Record ...

Sexual Harassment Policy

California State University, Fresno is committed to providing a work environment free of sexual harassment. It is against the law and strictly against university policy for any employee or non-employee to sexually harass a university employee.

What is Sexual Harassment?

The law defines sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, or visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. This definition includes many forms of offensive behavior, including gender-based harassment of a person of the same sex as the harasser; conduct of a sexual nature which creates an offensive and hostile work environment; and coerced sexual conduct by a person in a position of power in the workplace. Behavior which is appropriate in a social setting may not be appropriate in the workplace. Examples of prohibited conduct include the following:

• Verbal - Sexual innuendo, sexually suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, unwanted sexual advances or propositions, offers of employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors, threatened or actual reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances, graphic commentaries about a person's body.
• Nonverbal - Leering, obscene gestures, sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons or posters, suggestive or insulting sounds, suggestive or obscene notes or letters.
• Physical - Unwanted physical contact of a sexual nature, including sexually suggestive or offensive touching, impeding or blocking movements, brushing up against the body.

What if I believe I have been subjected to sexual harassment?

If you believe you have been sexually harassed, immediately report the matter to your manager, the Human Resources Department, the Affirmative Action Office, or the Vice President for Student Affairs. The complaint will be promptly investigated in a discreet manner with information disclosed only on a need-to-know basis. Investigation of a complaint will normally include conferring with the parties involved and any named or apparent witnesses. If your complaint is justified, the university will take all appropriate steps, including disciplinary action, to stop the offensive or inappropriate behavior. A summary of the results of the investigation, as well as any actions taken against the alleged harasser (with the exception of confidential personnel action) will be communicated to you.

If the university's internal procedures do not resolve the problem, or you are reluctant to use the internal process, you can file a complaint with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH). The DFEH will conduct an investigation and attempt to resolve the dispute. If the DFEH finds evidence of sexual harassment, the matter may go to a public hearing before the Fair Employment and Housing Commission. Possible remedies include reinstatement, back pay, promotion, changes in company policies and procedures, emotional distress damages, and fines.

The university will not tolerate, nor does the law allow, retaliation against an employee for filing a complaint with, or otherwise participating in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing conducted by any government agency or commission.

If you have any questions or concerns about sexual harassment, please contact any member of management with whom you feel comfortable or call Jeannine Raymond (Human Resources) at ext. 8-2364 or Thomas Ebert (Academic Personnel) at ext 8-3027.