Non-Harassment & Discrimination Policy

AHDPG is committed to providing all members with an environment that is free of harassment and discrimination. Therefore, AHDPG strictly prohibits in the workplace all forms of harassment or discrimination of employees or non-employees in association with AHDPG based on sex, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. Such conduct will result in appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Specifically, no instructor shall threaten or insinuate, either explicitly or implicitly, that a refusal to submit to sexual advances will adversely affect training, or that acceptance of such sexual advances will have a positive effect on training. Other sexually harassing conduct, whether committed by instructors or management personnel, is also prohibited. It is important to remember that any verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature may be viewed as sexual harassment if it hinders job performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. This may include such things as verbal abuse of a sexual nature, commenting about an individual’s body in a sexually offensive manner, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, or the display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures.

It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain a discrimination and harassment-free atmosphere. This includes freedom from harassment not only by fellow students but also by other persons whom AHDPG members encounter at their respective work sites, provided that management is immediately made aware of such harassment. If an investigation confirms the allegations, prompt corrective action will be taken.

The above policy also applies to intimidation, ridicule, or insults on the basis of an individual’s race, color, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religion. It includes actions such as repeated verbal abuse, circulation of written material that demeans or exhibits hostility toward an individual or group on any of the aforementioned bases, or inappropriate jokes or slurs. Discrimination and harassment include adverse actions and/or offensive behaviors directed toward or taken against a student on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability. Adverse action includes but is not limited to, segregation of a student or student group, inequitable treatment or opportunities, or adverse employment action based solely upon a protected category.

Students who have complaints of sexual or other forms of harassment or discrimination or are aware of possibly harassing or discriminatory behavior should report such conduct to any member of the management team. The Institute will attempt to keep such reports confidential and will disclose reported information only on a need-to-know basis in order to investigate and resolve the matter. Retaliation against persons who make such complaints is illegal and unethical, and AHDPG will not tolerate any such retaliation.