Creating and Maintaining Professional Relationships:
Ten Things Interns Need to Know
1. Respect Each Other. This REU strives to provide a workplace free of unlawful harassment and intimidation. Harassment is a form of discrimination that violates our policy as well as federal and state law. Therefore, employees have an obligation to each other to prevent unlawful discrimination at work, including harassment based on one’s race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, and sexual orientation. It is expected that all employees, including REU intern, will treat one another with respect.
2.Protection for REU interns. REU interns are protected from unlawful harassment, whether directed at them by supervisors, employees, visitors and guests, or even fellow interns.
3.Abuse of Power. Harassment is often about power. It involves an abuse of power by a person with greater authority, longevity or social power over someone with less power. People, who are perceived to have less power because of their status in the organization, academic attainments, or economic or social standing, may be more vulnerable to such abuses of power. For example, being pressured, overtly or subtly, to engage in sexual activity against one’s will would clearly constitute an unlawful abuse of power.
4.Abusive Behavior. Harassment can be verbal, visual, physical or communicated in writing or electronically. Harassment may occur between members of the same sex or same race. Whether particular conduct is offensive will often depend upon the specific context of the situation, including the reasonable understanding of the parties, past dealings, the nature of the professional relationship and the specific setting.
5.Prompt Attention. Reports of harassment are taken seriously and will be dealt with promptly.
The specific action taken in any particular case depends on the nature and gravity of the conduct reported, and may include intervention, investigation and the initiation of disciplinary processes. Where a violation of [institution’s name] policy is found to have occurred, [institution’s name] and [REU name] will act to stop the harassment, prevent its recurrence, and discipline and/or take other appropriate action against those responsible.
6.Confidentiality. Harassment is a very sensitive subject and the reputation of many persons is often at stake. Therefore, confidentiality is important. [REU name] strives to protect, to the greatest extent possible, the confidentiality of persons reporting harassment and also those accused of harassment. Because [institution’s name] has an obligation to address sexual and other harassment, [REU name] cannot guarantee complete confidentiality where it would conflict with the obligation to investigate meaningfully or, where warranted, take corrective action. However, any disclosure will be limited to the extent possible.
7.No Retaliation. [REU name] does not tolerate retaliation against persons who, acting in good faith, report or complain of harassment or against those who speak on behalf of, assist or participate in any investigation or proceeding involving a complaint of harassment.
8.Vigilance Required. [REU name] can respond to allegations of harassment only if it is aware of them. Therefore, interns are encouraged to come forward promptly with questions, concerns or complaints and to seek help. Please let anyone from the REU staff or a Human Resources staff member know if you feel you have been subjected to unwelcome behavior at work. Similarly, if an employee, including a fellow intern, a visitor, or guest engages in offensive behavior outside work that is directed toward you or other interns or is related to your work, please report the matter to any member of the REU staff or Human Resources immediately. REU staff is required to report complaints of harassment to the REU director and to Human Resources.
- What to do if you feel you are being harassed. Don’t pretend that it isn’t happening or blame yourself! Harassment does not go away if you ignore it and, in fact, may escalate toward you and others. If you are able, without fear of reprisal, clearly, directly and politely tell the person that his or her actions are unacceptable and must stop immediately. Otherwise, speak to someone, namely, anyone from the REU staff, or Human Resources Department. Finally, familiarize yourself with policies against harassment in order to more fully understand what other options are available to you. You can find:
[provide links to your policies]
10.You cannot do nothing. Trust your instincts. If you feel something is wrong, it may well be. If someone is rude, difficult, unpleasant, hostile, offensive or threatening to you – yet you are capable of tolerating the behavior – they may still be offensive and harmful to others. If confronted with a difficulty, talk to someone (hopefully someone who is in a position to do something about it), seek help and protect yourself or another.