Anti-Harassment, Anti-Discrimination & Safety Reporting Policy for Students in the Work Environment
Harassment & Discrimination
RVCC is committed to engaging students in a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. RVCC will not tolerate any form of harassment, sexual harassment, intimidation, discrimination or retaliation. RVCC students have a right to a work in an environment that is safe, free from discrimination, discriminatory harassment and/or retaliation of any kind. The “employer” agrees to provide such a work environment to RVCC students. RVCC will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of or by anyone at the worksites.
RVCC students have the right to expect professional conduct from all those with whom they work, be it supervisors, peers or subordinates. Likewise, the “employer” and its employees have the right to expect professional conduct from RVCC students they employ and mentor.
Harassment consists of unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical or visual, that is based on a person’s protected status, such as race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, civil union status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local law or regulation. It can consist of conduct or communication that is pervasive enough to make a reasonable person believe that the working environment has become hostile or offensive. The conduct does not have to be sexual in nature and does not have to involve physical contact. It can include, but is not limited to, inappropriate sexual remarks, unwelcome sexual advances, pressure for sexual activity, obscene gestures, offensive remarks, racial or religious slurs, innuendos, verbal abuse disguised as humor, or any comment or conduct that makes you feel anxious, or demeaned or threatened in any way. Harassment can take many different forms, but whatever form it takes, no RVCC student should tolerate it. RVCC has policies and procedures in place for handling harassment issues on the student’s behalf.
Sexual Harassment is discriminatory behavior that a reasonable person would perceive as demeaning, aggressive, and/or threatening. It is not just the actions of others; it is how these actions affect an individual personally, and affect work performance, location, assignments and other areas.
Behaviors that may constitute sexual harassment include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Pressure for sexual activity
- Unwelcome sexual advances
- Unnecessary brushes or touching
- Disparaging remarks about one’s gender
- Sexual innuendos or persistent use of sexually suggestive or offensive language
- Verbal abuse disguised as humor
- Obscene gestures
- Offensive remarks about clothing, body parts, or activities
- Making an educational or employment decision/benefit based on submission to sexual conduct. It may be perceived that one must tolerate sexual advances or engage in a sexual relationship in order to continue the placement, to achieve advancement, or to avoid adverse consequences such as poor evaluations. Similarly, it is unlawful to condition favorable treatment such as preferred assignments on acceptance of sexual advances or relations.
Harassment may take different forms. Whatever form it takes, it will not be tolerated in the workplace.
Safety
All RVCC students have the right to work in an environment that is safe. Students’ physical and emotional safety are of the utmost concern. No student should be exposed to any physical, biological or chemical hazards or risks. During the course of a student’s work placement, there may be risks related to the experience and uncertainty of future events. Following are examples of some potential hazards or risks:
- Outdoor exposure to weather, pollution, noise, or other hazards
- Potential exposure to infectious disease
- Unsafe neighborhood or being sent to unsafe locations
- Remote, poorly lit, or unsecured parking areas
- Dangerous intersections or roadways
- Being left alone in a building or at the work site
- Indoor exposure to machinery, extreme temperatures, or other structural hazards
- Dangerous, infected, or contagious animals, plants or other hazards
- Office or laboratory equipment and chemicals (toner, chemicals, cleaning products)
There are four basic steps in assessing and managing risk:
- Identify potential hazards, risks, or concerns.
- Understand guidelines and expectations of the internship or job site and supervisor.
- Consider solutions to potential problems.
- Follow the procedure for reporting an incident or concern as stated below.
Reporting an incident or concern
No RVCC student should feel unsafe or uncomfortable at his/her worksite. Students are required to report any incidents of discrimination or harassment or any safety concern or discomfort at the worksite. If you feel that your safety and/or well-being are at risk or that you are being harassed, please leave the Site immediately and report the situation immediately to:
This allows both the “employer” and the College the opportunity to promptly respond. Report the incident and your concerns after you have removed yourself from possible harm. RVCC would never expect a student to stay at any site that is, or has the potential to be, an unsafe environment. Document all facts including, but not limited to, date, time, and persons involved, and the situation as you observed it. RVCC will work with the student to remedy same and/or remove the student from any unsafe environment immediately. Know that RVCC will act as soon as possible in accordance with the College’s procedures and with the student’s protection as a priority.
Students reporting an incident or concern under this policy are assured that such a report shall have no impact on the student’s grade or academic standing within the College. All reports can be confidential.
Personal counselors are available for assistance in the Advising and Counseling Office and can be reached at personalcounseling@raritanval.edu.
