All internal workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination complaints are investigated by the Employee Rights Administration Department (ERAD). In lieu of an investigation, the complainant and the accused may agree to participate in the voluntary GPS: Guided Problem Solving program. The complaint process is confidential to the extent required by State and Federal Law. Various Board policies, State and Federal laws prohibit:
Discrimination
Complaints regarding discrimination or harassment against an individual based on age (40 or over), disability, race, religion (creed), color, marital status, military service (veteran status), sex (gender), sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, or any other legally protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment should be filed with your immediate supervisor, the school principal or ERAD in the Office of Human Resources.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct , either explicitly or implicitly, is made a term or condition of an individual's employment OR
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual.
Contact ERAD Office of Human Resources to report sexual harassment. For additional guidance, refer to Administrative Policy 6.03. If the sexual harassment involves students, contact the school principal.
Workplace Bullying/Harassment
The district is committed to providing a work environment free from any and all types of workplace bullying. Bullying is deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions intended to cause fear, humiliation, harm or social exclusion. Bullying may be repeated behavior and often involves an imbalance in power.
Harassment or bullying based on gender identity, expression, or nonconformity is specifically prohibited.
GPS: Guided Problem Solving (Voluntary Workplace Dispute Resolution Option)
GPS: Guided Problem Solving is a voluntary workplace dispute resolution option for MPS employees hosted by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) to resolve employment conflicts. The program is open to all employees as of July 1, 2014. The option is also available specifically to applicants and employees who have filed an internal complaint concerning harassment, bullying or discrimination. District administrators and supervisors who have successfully completed training in dispute resolution skills will be assigned your case and will coordinate a confidential Guided Problem Solving session between the complainant and the accused. Employees may also submit a joint request for Guided Problem Solving. The goal of the GPS: Guided Problem Solving program is to reach agreement about how the parties will interact going forward.
Call (414) 773-9876 for more information.