HFI Non-Discrimination Policy

1. Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy.

Half Full Institute, Inc. is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity.  Half Full Institute, Inc., does not and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, veteran status, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or because of any other categories protected by federal, state or local laws. All activities of Half Full Institute, Inc., including, but not limited to, recruitment advertisement, recruiting, hiring, promotions, performance appraisals, training, job assignments, compensation, benefits, termination and any other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered on a non-discriminatory basis, consistent with all applicable federal, state and local legal requirements.

An essential part of Half Full Institute, Inc.’s equal employment opportunity policy is to provide a work environment free of harassment, intimidation or retaliation.  As such, discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, veteran status, age, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other categories protected by federal, state or local laws, is strictly prohibited. Such discrimination or harassment may include verbal, physical or other conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile work environment.  It can occur in Half Full Institute, Inc.’s offices, at off-site meetings or events, or anywhere an employee is engaged in Half Full Institute, Inc. business.

If you have a complaint or concern about discrimination or harassment, you must immediately report that complaint or concern to your supervisor or the Executive Director.  In the event that a supervisor believes that a violation of this policy has occurred or receives a report of a violation, he or she must immediately advise the Executive Director.

If the complaint involves the Executive Director, then it should be directed to the Chairs of the Boards.

Half Full Institute, Inc. strictly prohibits retaliation against employees or applicants for employment who report violations under this policy and/or who assist in an investigation of a violation.  If you believe you have been subject to retaliation, you must immediately report that complaint or concern to your supervisor or the Executive Director.  In the event that a supervisor becomes aware of, or receives a report of, retaliation, he or she must immediately advise the Executive Director.

Complaints of a violation of any part of this policy will be handled as promptly and discreetly as possible. Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigation subject to the need to conduct a full and fair investigation.

Each and every employee of the Half Full Institute, Inc. is responsible for carrying out the Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy.  Members of the Boards of Directors, volunteers, and other individuals in Half Full Institute, Inc. workplace must adhere to this policy.  Violations of this policy, including its non-retaliation provisions, are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including the termination of employment. In the event of a policy violation by a non-employee, Half Full Institute, Inc. will take appropriate corrective action.

Reasonable Accommodation.  Half Full Institute, Inc. recognizes that individuals with disabilities may need reasonable accommodation in order to perform their job once hired. Employees and applicants for employment who need accommodation as a result of their disability should promptly inform their supervisor so that Half Full Institute, Inc. can engage in an interactive process to discuss what reasonable accommodations are available and appropriate under applicable federal, state or local laws.

2. Sexual Harassment Policy.

It is unlawful, and against Half Full Institute, Inc. policy, for any employee, regardless of gender, to sexually harass another employee.

Sexual harassment refers to verbal, physical or other conduct of a sexual nature that is not welcome, is personally offensive or fails to respect the rights of others, and interferes with an employee’s ability to do his or her job.  It can occur in Half Full Institute, Inc.’s offices, at off-site meetings or events, or anywhere an employee is engaged in Half Full Institute, Inc. business.

Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.  No supervisor or other employee shall threaten or insinuate, either explicitly or implicitly, that another employee’s, applicant’s or volunteer’s refusal to submit to sexual advances will affect that person’s employment, ability to perform volunteer duties, job evaluation, compensation, promotion, or any other terms, conditions or privileges of employment.

Sexual harassment also includes repeated and unwelcome: sexual flirtations, advances or sexual propositions; subtle pressure or requests for sexual activities; unnecessary touching of an individual; graphic or verbal commentaries about an individual’s body; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; display in the workplace of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; telling of sexually-themed jokes; physical assault; or other conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates a hostile, intimidating or offensive work environment.  

If you have a complaint or concern about discrimination or harassment, you must immediately report that complaint or concern to your supervisor or the Executive Director.  In the event that a supervisor believes that a violation of this policy has occurred or receives a report of a possible violation, he or she must immediately advise the Executive Director.

If the complaint involves the Executive Director, then it should be directed to the Chairs of the Boards.

Half Full Institute, Inc. strictly prohibits retaliation against employees or applicants for employment who report potential violations under this policy and/or who assist in an investigation of an alleged violation.  If you believe you have been subject to retaliation, you must immediately report that complaint or concern to your supervisor or the Executive Director.  In the event that a supervisor becomes aware of, or receives a report of, retaliation, he or she must immediately advise the Executive Director.

Complaints of a possible violation of any part of this policy will be handled as promptly and discreetly as possible.  Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigation subject to the need to conduct a full and fair investigation.

Each and every employee of the Half Full Institute, Inc. is responsible for adhering to the Sexual Harassment Policy.  Members of the Boards of Directors, volunteers, and other individuals in the Half Full Institute’s workplace also must adhere to this policy.  Violations of this policy, including its non-retaliation provisions, are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including the termination of employment. In the event of a policy violation by a non-employee, Half Full Institute, Inc. will take appropriate corrective action.