Recognize, Respond, Report Quick Guide
Your part in a harassment-free workplace · Larkstone Supply Co.
Recognize
Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic: race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, and transgender status), age 40 and older, disability, and genetic information (including family medical history).
Signs to watch for
- Jokes, nicknames, or comments about a protected characteristic, even "just kidding" ones
- Mocking someone's accent or imitating a disability
- Repeated comments aimed at the same person or characteristic. They add up.
Keep in mind: laughing along or staying quiet doesn't mean someone is OK with it.
If it's your own conduct: if someone tells or shows you it's unwelcome, stop, whatever you meant by it.
Respond (when it's aimed at you)
- If you're comfortable, tell the person it's unwelcome and needs to stop.
- If you're not comfortable, or it doesn't stop, report it. You never have to talk to the person first.
Report
- Report early, before it gets worse.
- Go to your manager, any HR team member, or the ethics line (anonymous option).
- You never have to report through the person causing the problem.
- Harassment can come from anyone: supervisors, coworkers, customers, vendors, and partner companies' staff. All of it is reportable.
Don't retaliate
Retaliation is anything that might reasonably discourage someone from reporting or taking part in an investigation. It's prohibited from anyone, including coworkers. It can look like:
- Leaving someone out of meetings, lunches, group chats, or schedules after they report
- The cold shoulder, like ignoring their questions
- Spreading rumors, or guessing about who reported or what's being investigated
Treat anyone who raises a concern the same as before. If it happens to you, report it the same way you'd report harassment.
Outside option: the EEOC
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is the federal agency that enforces workplace discrimination laws. If you believe discrimination has occurred, contact them promptly. Strict time limits apply: 180 or 300 days, depending on where you live or work.
Support
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential support.
Based on U.S. EEOC guidance and Larkstone Supply Co. policy. Covers federal law only; state and local laws may add protections.