Harassment and Discrimination
Version: 0001
Renewal Date: 7/1/2026
Objective #
To state that the University of Tennessee Foundation, Inc. (UTFI) does not condone or tolerate harassment or discrimination.
Policy #
General Policy #
All employees of UTFI are expected to treat each other with courtesy, consideration and respect. All employees are responsible for creating and maintaining a work environment that is free of illegal harassment or discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, color, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status or any other legally protected status. Any UTFI employee who engages in harassment or discriminatory acts in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Harassment #
Harassment is a verbal or physical conduct that demeans or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of that person’s age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. Examples of harassing conduct include, but are not limited to epithets; slurs; negative stereotyping; demeaning comments or labels; threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability; and written or graphic material that demeans or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability and that is placed on walls, bulletin boards, computers or elsewhere on the employer’s premises or circulated in the workplace.
Sexual Harassment #
Sexual harassment is a form of gender (sex) discrimination. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has defined sexual harassment as follows: “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose of effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.” Prohibited sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to, sexual jokes, calendars, posters, cartoons, magazines; derogatory or physically descriptive comments about or towards another employee; sexually suggestive comments via inappropriate use of UTFI or UT communications systems, including e-mail and telephone (see UT Policy IT0110, Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources, which is incorporated herein by reference) or otherwise, unwelcome touching or physical contact; punishment or favoritism on the basis of an employee’s sex; sexual slurs; negative sexual stereotyping.
Complaint of Harassment or Discrimination #
Any employee experiencing or witnessing harassment or discrimination should immediately report the matter to the UTFI Talent Management Office (UTFI TM) or the President/CEO. UTFI will undertake an appropriate investigation of all reports of harassment and take such corrective action as deemed necessary and appropriate considering the results of the investigation and this policy. UTFI will take no retaliatory or other negative action against an employee who, in good faith, reports harassment or discrimination or who participates in any investigation of harassment and discrimination. Refer to TM001D Policy Violation Procedure for reporting.
While the good faith reporting of harassment or discrimination concerns is strongly encouraged, bringing a knowingly false claim of harassment against another is a serious matter. If UTFI finds that an employee has done so that conduct will result in disciplinary action.
Scope and Application #
This policy applies to all UTFI employees, including full-time staff, part-time staff, student workers, student interns and temporary staff for the organization.
Policy Implementation #
Any current or former employee who has been subjected to an incident of harassment is to report the matter to the UTFI TM or the President/CEO.
Definitions #
Harassment: Any verbal or physical conduct that demeans or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of that person’s age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
Sexual Harassment: “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitutes sexual harassment when (1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose of effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.” (The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission definition)
Penalties/Disciplinary Action for Non-Compliance #
Failure to abide by all terms and conditions of the policy described above may result in discipline up to and including termination. Refer to TM0002 Disciplinary Action Policy.
Policy Administration #
The table below identifies the responsible senior official, contact information and administrative responsibilities of policy matters.
| Subject Matter | Office Name/Position Title | Email/Web Address |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | UTFI Senior Official of Talent Management | [email protected] |
| Point of Contact | UTFI Executive Director of Talent Management | [email protected] |
| Policy Location | Public Listing | |
| Policy Review Schedule | Annual Review |
History of Revision #
Related Policies/Guidance Documents #
Policies:
TM0002 Disciplinary Action Policy
IT0110 Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources
Procedure/Forms: