SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS PROHIBITED. IT HAS NO PLACE IN OUR COMMAND. IT UNDERMINES PERSONAL, ORGANIZATIONAL, AND PUBLIC TRUST, PRODUCTIVITY, AND READINESS.
Every member of this command, military and civilian, should be aware of the unlawful nature of sexual harassment. Each of us has a responsibility to treat all others with mutual respect and dignity, to provide a climate free of all forms of discrimination, and to eliminate sexual harassment.
Sexual harassment is defined as a form or discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition ofa person's job, pay, or career, or;
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person, or;
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.
Any person, in a supervisory or command position, who uses or condones any form of sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect the career, pay, or job of a command employee, whether civilian or military, is engaging in sexual harassment. Similarly, any military member or civilian employee who makes deliberate or repeated unwelcome verbal comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature is also engaging in sexual harassment.
The Navy's policy is clear and is to be understood by every member of the command. Substantiated acts or conduct, which results in sexual harassment, will result in immediate corrective, administrative, and/or disciplinary action. Everyone must be concerned about sexual harassment and actively work to prevent· .
JAMES A. AIKEN
Rear Admiral, United States Navy