1. Policy Statement
Reas General Construction Plc is committed to creating and maintaining a respectful, safe, and inclusive work environment where all individuals are treated with dignity and free from sexual harassment, discrimination, and intimidation. We believe that every employee has the right to work in an environment that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits any form of unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all employees (full-time, part-time, temporary, contract), management, board members, job applicants, and anyone conducting business with Reas General Construction Plc, including clients, subcontractors, suppliers, and visitors. It applies in all work-related contexts, whether on Company premises (including construction sites), during business trips, at Company-sponsored events, or through electronic communication.
3. Definition of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated. It can be a single incident or a series of incidents. Sexual harassment can take various forms, including, but not limited to:
• Verbal: Unwelcome sexual advances, propositions, suggestive comments, jokes, or stories of a sexual nature, comments about a person's body or appearance, sexually suggestive sounds.
• Non-Verbal: Sexually suggestive gestures, leering, staring, displaying sexually explicit materials (e.g., posters, images, emails), or making sexually suggestive noises.
• Physical: Unwanted physical contact, such as touching, hugging, kissing, patting, brushing against someone, assault, or impeding someone's movement.
• Quid Pro Quo: Implied or overt threats that an employee's job, terms of employment, or career progression are dependent on their submission to or rejection of sexual advances.
• Hostile Work Environment: Creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment through severe or pervasive unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature.
4. Prohibited Conduct
Any form of sexual harassment as defined above is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:
• Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors.
• Verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
• Creating a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment.
• Retaliation against any individual who reports sexual harassment or participates in an investigation.
5. Reporting Procedures
Reas General Construction Plc encourages all individuals to report any incidents of sexual harassment immediately.
• Informal Resolution: If comfortable, the individual experiencing harassment may directly inform the harasser that their conduct is unwelcome and must stop.
• Formal Reporting:
1. Report the incident to your direct manager, Human Resources Department, or a designated impartial contact person [e.g., Ethics Committee member, or a specific HR email: harassmentreport@reascon.com]. If the harasser is your manager, report to HR or a higher-level manager.
2. Provide as much detail as possible, including the nature of the harassment, dates, times, locations, names of individuals involved, and any witnesses.
3. All reports will be treated with confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with a thorough and fair investigation.
6. Investigation
Upon receiving a report, the Company will:
• Initiate a prompt, thorough, fair, and impartial investigation.
• Ensure that all parties involved (complainant, alleged harasser, witnesses) are heard.
• Take appropriate interim measures, if necessary, to ensure the safety and well-being of the complainant during the investigation.
7. Disciplinary Action
If an investigation confirms that sexual harassment has occurred, Reas General Construction Plc will take appropriate disciplinary action against the harasser, up to and including immediate termination of employment, and potential legal action where applicable. The severity of the disciplinary action will depend on the nature and severity of the harassment.
8. Non-Retaliation
Reas General Construction Plc strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against any individual who, in good faith, reports sexual harassment, provides information, or assists in an investigation related to this policy. Retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and will result in disciplinary action, including potential termination.
9. Training and Awareness
The Company will provide regular training and awareness programs to all employees and management on this policy, what constitutes sexual harassment, how to prevent it, and the reporting procedures.
10. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed periodically, at least annually, to ensure its effectiveness, relevance, and compliance with applicable laws and best practices.
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How to Use These Policies:
1. Formal Adoption: Ensure these policies are formally adopted by Reas General Construction Plc's management and integrated into the company's official policy manual or HR handbook.
2. Website Placement: As discussed earlier, these can be placed on your company website, perhaps under a dedicated "Policies," "Corporate Governance," or "Sustainability" section, or linked from relevant "About Us" pages.
3. Internal Communication: Communicate these policies clearly to all employees.
4. Training: Develop training programs for each policy (especially OHS, Anti-Harassment, and Code of Conduct) and maintain records of employee attendance.
5. Evidence for UNGM: For the UNGM questionnaire, you can state that these policies are in place and refer to their documentation (e.g., "available on our website at [link]"). This demonstrates your company's commitment and preparedness.
6. Legal Review: Just like the employment contract, it is highly advisable to have these policies reviewed by a legal professional knowledgeable in Ethiopian labor, environmental, and commercial law to ensure full compliance and enforceability.