Speaker Beth Harwell on Thursday announced the immediate implementation of a new Workplace Harassment Policy for the Tennessee General Assembly.
The new policy broadens the scope from the previous policy, focused only on sexual harassment, to include all workplace harassment, and modernizes the language. And for the first time, the policy includes a transparency component—any House member or member of staff for whom an investigation determines that a violation of the policy has occurred will have a report placed in their file, which will be available to the public. The rewrite is the result of recommendations from a committee, appointed by Speaker Harwell, charged with reviewing the Tennessee General Assembly’s former sexual harassment policy. The Attorney General also reviewed the policy and provided input.
“Bottom line: sexual and workplace harassment has no place at the legislature, and will not be tolerated. Victims can come forward, under this new policy, with confidence. We give victims multiple avenues to report, and they can seek guidance from a third party, the Sexual Assault Center. This policy is much clearer with regards to the process,” said Speaker Harwell.
Highlights from the new policy:
· Expanded to include all workplace harassment (Title VII);
· Explicitly states that it applies to all, including seasonal and part-time staff;
· Gives examples of prohibited contact or behavior;
· Broadens the number of people to whom complaints can be reported;
· Requires reporting by anyone in a supervisory role, including members, approached with a complaint;
· Requires report to the House Speaker if violation is found, which is then placed in a House member’s personnel file and subject to public disclosure.
In addition, training will be required for all House members and staff. Training for House staff will take place in August, and a copy of the new policy will be mailed to each member at his or her home and Capitol addresses immediately. Training for members will take place the first week of each new General Assembly. The policy will also be available on the legislature’s website. In addition, the number for the Sexual Assault Center’s hotline will be provided as an independent third party that can provide guidance to victims.
“I sincerely appreciate Tim Tohill and the entire staff of the Sexual Assault Center for offering their services to the House. This is an important part of promoting confidence in the process,” said Speaker Harwell.
The members of the Sexual Harassment Policy Review Committee are: Allison Duke (associate dean, College of Business, Lipscomb University), Frank Gibson (Public Policy director, Tennessee Press Association), Doug Himes (director of Legal Services, Tennessee General Assembly), Dianne Neal (attorney), and Jeff Parrish (attorney/partner, Waller Law), Connie Ridley (director of Legislative Administration, Tennessee General Assembly) served in an advisory capacity.
The new Workplace Harassment Policy can be found here. It replaces the previous policy, adopted in 1997. The new policy takes effect immediately.