Harassment
It is Kankakee Valley Schools’ policy for all its employees, students, parents, visitors, and
vendors to have the right to work, be educated, and do business in an environment free from all
forms of discrimination and conduct which can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive.
a. Sexual Harassment
The Kankakee Valley School Corporation believes that sexual harassment is a form of
disrespect and misconduct which undermines the integrity of the individual as well as the
employment relationship. No employee, child, parent, visitors, or vendor, either male or
female, should be subject to unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtures or conduct,
either verbal or physical. Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of
a socially acceptable nature. It refers to behavior that is not welcome, which is personally
offensive, causes low morale, and which, therefore, interferes with work effectiveness. It
includes unwanted physical contact, verbal or visual sexual advances, unwanted
touching, requests for sexual favors, and other sexually oriented conduct, which is
offensive or objectionable to the recipient, but not limited to; derogatory or suggestive
comments, slurs or gestures; and offensive posters, cartoons, pictures, or drawings. Such
behavior may result in corrective action, up to and including dismissal.
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b. Other Forms of Harassment
Harassment is behavior that is not welcome, is personally offensive, lowers morale, and
interferes with work effectiveness. No employee, child, parent, visitor, or vendor should
be subjected to unsolicited and unwelcome overtures or conduct, either verbal or
physical. KVSC will not tolerate any employee engaging in conduct or language based on
race, sex, ethnic background, age, religion, or disability which could interfere with
another employee’s work performance or create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive
working environment.
Our stated position on harassment applies to all employees while performing work for Kankakee
Valley Schools, both on and off our premises. In addition, the Kankakee Valley School
Corporation does not condone harassment by our employees; nor do we intend to allow
employees to be subjected to harassment by individuals or agents of other entities that may be on
or off our premises and on KVSC related business.
If you think you have been harassed, sexually or in any other way, you should bring that matter
to the Superintendent, your supervisor, or any other member of management immediately.
Following your complaint, the Superintendent will ask you to complete a complaint form. The
Superintendent will initiate a CONFIDENTIAL investigation to gather all facts about your
complaint. After the investigation has been completed, appropriate management will make a
determination regarding the resolution of the case.
You will not be retaliated against in any way because you have complained in good faith about
harassment or because you have been a witness in a harassment investigation. However, if
KVSC determines that a complaint has been made in bad faith, corrective action may be taken,
up to and including termination.
To report any claims of harassment please reach out to Jennifer Orzechowicz, HR or Mike Spagna, Asst. Superintendent.
