3. Reporting Process. It is helpful for the employee who feels he or she has been the victim of or witness to any illegal harassing behavior to directly inform the harasser that the conduct is unwelcome and must stop. However, such action is not required, but the employee or witness to acts of harassment should document the occurrence.

Employees and/or witnesses must report the incident(s) to his or her supervisor or another member of Management. In the event that the behavior is from an employee's supervisor, the victim or witness can make a report directly to the Human Resources Director or any member of the Board of County Commissioners. If the offending individual is the Human Resources Director, the victim or witness may report the incident to the Board of County Commissioners.

4. Investigations. All allegations of discriminatory or harassing behavior will be taken seriously and investigated immediately by the Human Resources Director or another duly delegated individual while maintaining as much as possible the privacy and confidentiality to the parties involved. Where appropriate, immediate corrective action, including termination, may be taken. All claims are encouraged to be reported immediately.

No person shall lose wages or in any way be made subject to any disciplinary action for reporting sexual harassment. The Human Resources Director is explicitly authorized to grant paid leave if necessary to protect the reporting person.

5. "Zero Tolerance" of Retaliation. It is important for County employees to know that by law, any retaliation against an employee who opposed any illegal discrimination or harassment or made a charge or participated in an investigation is prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. No employee will be penalized for factual representation of the events. Employee behaviors that are protected include:

• resisting advances, discrimination, or other harassment
• registering a complaint of harassment or discrimination
• supporting the claim of another employee
• picketing in protest of illegal discrimination or harassment
• notifying law enforcement authorities