F&B Statement of Intolerance

Statement on Acts of Intolerance

There will be no verbal or written personal attacks on any individual or group of individuals based on age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran’s status. All employees are required to treat each other and all of the University community with respect and courtesy. Examples of unacceptable behavior include but are not limited to such actions as:

  1. Email sent with any degradation of any individual or group of individuals based on race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other group associations.
  2. Racial or sexual jokes told while on the job.
  3. Any communication whether verbal or written meant to deny any University benefit to any individual or group of individuals based on race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other group associations.
  4. Email that includes a personal attack on any individual.
  5. Verbal communication that discriminates or includes derogatory language against an individual because of race, culture, religion, or sexual orientation, or gender identity.
  6. Joke or verbal comments which degrades an individual because of sexual orientation or gender identity. Personal verbal attacks against a person that includes any derogatory comment in relation to race, sexual orientation, or gender identity, when that individual is not present.
  7. Obvious physical gestures of disapproval behind the back of or in the presence of any individual because of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or disability.
  8. Insulting verbal comments or play-acting in relationship to physical characteristics of any individual or group of individuals.
  9. Any kind of verbal or written communication that includes racial slurs, unkind language or other insulting nicknames or names.

It is not acceptable to deny any individual any opportunity or benefit authorized by the University or Finance & Business based on age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran’s status. Examples of unacceptable acts include but are not limited to the following:

  1. To deny an individual a job promotion based on gender.
  2. To deny an individual travel opportunity based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
  3. To exclude an individual from participation in a project because of race.
  4. To exclude an individual from an all-inclusive event such as a holiday lunch, office celebration or other event because of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  5. To deny an individual a work opportunity because of perceived gender ability differences.
  6. To deny an individual benefits or awards based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

It is not acceptable to treat work colleagues in a disrespectful manner in order to create a hostile environment. Examples include but are not limited to:

  1. Leaving intimidating or derogatory newspaper articles in an anonymous fashion to tease or harass an individual.
  2. Continual teasing of an individual or group of individuals in a mean-spirited manner.
  3. Isolating an employee from group work activities.
  4. Sending or leaving anonymous notes that harasses individuals based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
  5. Making verbal comments of a sexual manner or any physical advances.
  6. Physical contact in any hostile or threatening manner.
  7. Ganging up against an individual or group of individuals because of personality conflicts or past issues.

University employees are prohibited by University policy and by state and federal law from engaging in behaviors, which create an offensive, hostile or intimidating working environment. These behaviors interfere with and undermine the respect and trust that must exist between co-workers in order to maintain a positive and productive work environment. As a University employee, each person is responsible for establishing and maintaining a professional relationship with others in full compliance with University policies and applicable laws.

Process to Report Acts of Intolerance

The following is the process to report any situations similar to the above or other forms of harassment, intolerance, or intimidation.

  1. Speak up whenever you feel harassed or offended, unless you feel uncomfortable.
  2. Document any events as much as possible to include time, individuals involved or present, date and description.
  3. Report the incident or environment to your immediate supervisor. If for any reason you are fearful or uncomfortable with reporting any incident or discussing climate issues with your supervisor, please contact any of the individuals listed as Diversity Contacts or the Sexual Harassment Contacts.
  4. Supervisors should contact any of the Diversity or Sexual Harassment Contact individuals for assistance in addressing a situation reported by an employee:
  • Diversity Contacts

    Lydia Abdullah
    Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion
    208 Old Main
    [email protected] or 814-865-6574

    David Brown
    Facilities Supervisor 5
    Office of Physical Plant
    15 Pond Laboratories
    [email protected] or 814-863-3343

    Jason Browne
    Network Systems Specialist 3
    Office of Human Resources
    321 James Elliott Bldg.
    [email protected] or 814-863-1136

    Duane Bullock
    Manager, Supplier Diversity & Environmentally Responsible Purchasing
    Auxiliary & Business Services
    101 Procurement Services Building
    [email protected] or 814-865-5417

    Sharon R. Corl
    Maintenance Worker, Area Landscape
    Office of Physical Plant
    50 Office of Physical Plant Bldg.
    [email protected] or 814-571-9466

    Vernon Davis
    Contractor Liaison
    Office of Physical Plant
    112 Office of Physical Plant Bldg.
    [email protected] or 814-863-2520

    Julie Deal
    Staff Auditor
    Internal Audit
    404 Rider Bldg.
    [email protected] or 814-865-1342

    Carol Eicher
    Human Resources
    Auxiliary & Business Services
    206 Housing & Food Services Bldg.
    [email protected] or 814-865-6614

    Diane Grimm
    Lieutenant
    University Police
    20 Eisenhower Parking Deck
    [email protected] or 814-863-2479

    Sharon Lucas
    Data Systems Manager
    Investment & Trust Management
    212, The 103 Building
    [email protected] or 814-863-9150

    Katherine Lumley-Sapanski
    Asst. Director of Environmental Health & Safety
    Office of Physical Plant
    006D Eisenhower Parking Deck
    [email protected] or 814-865-6391

    Perretti, Richel
    Contract Manager
    Office of the Corporate Controller
    103 Rider Bldg.
    [email protected] or 814-863-5538

    Jose Reyes
    Human Resources Manager
    Office of the Corporate Controller
    311 Elliott Building
    [email protected] or 814-867-3747

    Grace Rohrbach
    Administrative Support Assistant
    Central Finance & Business
    208 Old Main
    [email protected] or 814-863-4694

    David Rose
    Financial Officer VII
    Finance & Business
    408 Old Main
    [email protected] or 814-865-2038

    Roseann Sieminski
    Asst. Controller & Bursar
    Office of the Corporate Controller
    103 Shields Building
    [email protected] or 814-865-6528

    Lisa Watkins
    Accountant
    Office of the Corporate Controller
    108 Shields Bldg.
    [email protected] or 814-865-4927

Sexual Harassment Contacts

Visit the following Web address for a complete list of contacts: http://www.psu.edu/dept/aaoffice/sexharass.htm.

Following contact with one of the above individuals the process shall be as follows:

  • Confidential discussion with employee/employees and Diversity Contact.
  • Discussion of possible action plan, recommendations and alternatives with employee/employees.
  • Diversity Contact discusses situation, plans, and recommendations with Supervisor, Manager and/or Director.
  • Final action plan may be reviewed with Senior Vice President.
  • Implement recommended actions and review action plans with employee/employees.
  • Notify employee/employees when corrective action has occurred.
  • Schedule follow-up review to verify that the situation is corrected or improved and to assure that there has been no reprisal to any employees in relation to reporting acts of harassment or intolerance.
  • NOTE: Any action taken will be in compliance with University policies and applicable University-Union agreement.

Any employee who for any reason does not want to discuss situations of intolerance or harassment with anyone in Finance & Business is encouraged to contact their HR Representative, the Affirmative Action Office located in 328 Boucke, 814-863-0471, or Employee Relations at 814-865-1412.

For Emergencies, Call 911