Actions or behaviors that adversely impact Agency operations, productivity
and/orwork environment.
Psychological bullying
5
or intimidation, suchas:making statementswhichare
false,malicious,disparaging,derogatory,rude,disrespectful, abusive,obnoxious,
demeaning,belittling,orthathavetheintenttohurtothers'reputation.
Physical intimidation or aggression (e.g., holding, restraining, impeding or
blocking movement, following, stalking, inappropriate contact or advances,
bullying,oranyotherformsofinappropriatetouchingorgestures).
HHSAnti‐HarassmentPolicyandProcedures
violationofthispolicy. Tobeunlawful,theconductmustbesosevereorrepeatedor
pervasive suchthat itcreatesawork environment thatis hostile, intimidating or
offensivetoa reasonableperson.Forthepurposeof these procedures, the“reasonable
person”standardconsidersthecomplainant’sperspective andassessesifa reasonable
person exposed to the same or similar circumstances would find the environment
hostile,intimidating,oroffensive.
3
B. Definitions:
(1) Workplaceharassmentisconsideredtohaveoccurredwhen:
(i) The conduct was sufficiently severe or pervasive (e.g., a pattern) enough to
create an environment that is hostile, or intimidating to a reasonable person
exposedtothesameorsimilarcircumstances.
4
(2) Inappropriateconductoccurswhenthecomplainanthasnotsolicitedorinvitedthe
conduct and regards it as unacceptable, (outside of work assignments or
instructions)andthecomplainantisnotanactiveparticipant inthebehavior. Note:
submissiondoesnotmeantheconductwaswelcomed. Examplesinclude:
Sexual advances/pressures for dates. (Violator must be told that behavior is
unacceptable,orunwelcomed)
Inappropriateorracialslurs,comments,andinnuendos.
Rudeorobnoxiousremarksorcomments.
Inappropriatetouching.
Inappropriategestures,expressions,picturesorgraffiti.
Threatsmadeagainstothersorotherthreateningbehavior.
Inappropriatecommunicationsuchasslurs,epithets,ridicule,insults,displaying
3
Fordangerousorlife‐threatening behavior,pleaserefertotheProceduresforHandlingDisruptiveEmployees,
PersonnelThreatsorEmergencies(Attachment#1).
4
Althoughisolatedincidentsmaynotrisetothelevelof“harassment”,theactionsmustbeaddressedin
accordancewiththeDepartment’sdisciplinarypolicy,(seegenerally,HHSInstruction752andtheHHSResidual
StandardsofConduct.)
5
Workplacebullyingisdefinedasrepeatedhealth‐harmingmistreatmentofoneormorepersonsbyoneormore
perpetrators. Itisabusiveconductthatisthreatening,humiliatingorintimidating; verbalabuse,orconductthat
isintrusiveorinterfereswithorsabotagesthetarget’sabilitytowork.
Page4of7