Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy

This SCR Code of Conduct and Harassment Policy (Policy) applies to all SCR-related meetings or events, whether held in public or private facilities, including meetings or events sponsored by organizations other than SCR and held in conjunction with SCR meetings or events, and any SCR member communications related to SCR business or with SCR staff.

SCR Commitment:

SCR is committed to providing a productive and welcoming environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. Members are expected to act with courtesy and mutual respect toward each other, SCR staff, service providers, speakers and event participants.

Harassment:

Harassment in any form is strictly prohibited. Harassment includes inappropriate conduct, comment, display, action, or gesture based on another person’s sex, color, race, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and any other protected characteristic.

Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to: epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating or hostile acts; denigrating jokes; and the display or circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group based on a protected characteristic.

Sexual Harassment:

Sexual harassment is one form of harassment. Sexual harassment may involve individuals of the same or different gender. Like all harassment, sexual harassment is strictly prohibited.

Sexual harassment can be:

  • Verbal: Sexual innuendoes, suggestive comments, jokes of a sexual nature, sexual propositions, or threats.

  • Non-Verbal: Sexually suggestive objects or pictures, graphic commentaries, suggestive or insulting sounds, leering, whistling, or obscene gestures.

  • Physical: Unwanted physical contact, including touching, pinching, coerced sexual intercourse, or assault.

Members and Staff Look After Each Other and Guests/Invitees to Prevent Issues:

Use good judgment at all times. Always be aware of your surroundings. Ask SCR staff for assistance if you have questions or need help with issues (e.g., event, facility, security, safety, emergencies, intoxication, illness, environment, transportation, behavior).

How to Report Incidents of Harassment or Inappropriate Behavior:

Any member who believes they experienced or witnessed harassment or other inappropriate behavior in violation of this Policy should promptly report the incident to one of the following individuals: the SCR General Counsel, the SCR Chief Financial Officer, or the SCR President.

Investigation and Discipline:

Upon receipt of a member’s report of possible harassment or inappropriate behavior in violation of this Policy, SCR will promptly conduct an investigation at the direction of SCR’s General Counsel. During the investigation, SCR will involve only those deemed necessary to the investigation, and disclosures will only be made on an as-needed basis. If it is determined that the investigation substantiates that a violation of this Policy has occurred, SCR’s President, President-Elect, and Treasurer, in consultation with SCR’s General Counsel, will determine any disciplinary action. If one or more of the foregoing officers are named in the complaint of harassment or inappropriate behavior, SCR’s General Counsel will identify a substitute to be selected from the SCR Executive Committee.

SCR reserves the right to take any necessary and appropriate action against a member who engages in any form of harassment or inappropriate behavior in violation of this Policy. Such actions may include, but are not limited to, prohibition from attendance at future SCR meetings or events, removal from a committee appointment, expulsion from membership or any other action deemed appropriate by SCR.

Breach of Confidentiality:

If it comes to the attention of the Chair of any SCR Committee that a member of that committee has violated confidentiality and/or the conflict of interest disclosure obligations of that committee, the committee Chair and the SCR President, in consultation with SCR’s General Counsel, will address the alleged violation and determine an appropriate resolution of the violation, which may include removal from the committee and limited or permanent ban on service on other SCR committees.

Approved by the SCR Board of Directors on September 14, 2022

Posted by: Byron King on 11/29/22 (This information is only accurate as of 11/29/22. You must contact SCR for updates and changes to this information after 11/29/22 as laws and regulations may change over time. SCR 803-772-5206 or email info at screaltors.org or email byron at screaltors.org)

This information is not legal advice. This information is intended only to provide general information and may not be relied upon as specific legal guidance. Legal counsel should always be consulted before acting in reliance on this information.