Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Objective
Weastec is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to carry out and enforce these principles and mandates. Weastec prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to associates and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Weastec conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
Scope
The policy of equal employment opportunity (EEO) and anti-discrimination applies to all aspects of the relationship between Weastec and its associates, including:
- Recruitment
- Employment
- Promotion
- Transfer
- Training
- Working conditions
- Wages and salary administration
- Associate benefits and application of policies
The policies and principles of EEO also apply to the selection and treatment of independent contractors, personnel working on our premises who are employed by temporary agencies and any other persons or firms doing business for or with Weastec.
Dissemination and Implementation of Policy
Senior management of Weastec will be responsible for the dissemination of this policy. Managers and leaders are responsible for implementing equal employment practices within each department. The HR department is responsible for overall compliance and will maintain personnel records in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Procedures
Weastec administers our EEO policy fairly and consistently by:
- Posting all required notices regarding associate rights under EEO laws in areas highly visible to associates.
- Advertising for job openings with the statement “We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”
- Forbidding retaliation against any individual who files a charge of discrimination, opposes a practice believed to be unlawful discrimination, reports harassment, or assists, testifies, or participates in an EEO agency proceeding.
- Requires associates to report to a member of management and/or to Human Resources any apparent discrimination or harassment. The report should be made within 48 hours of the incident.
Harassment
Harassment is a form of unlawful discrimination and violates Weastec policy. Prohibited sexual harassment, for example, is defined as 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 of an individual’s employment.
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individuals.
- Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.
Harassment also includes unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Harassment becomes unlawful where:
- Enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or
- The conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.
Weastec encourages associates to report all incidents of harassment to a member of management or the HR department. Weastec conducts harassment prevention training for all associates and maintains and enforces a separate policy on harassment prevention, complaint procedures and penalties for violations. Weastec investigates all complaints of harassment promptly and fairly, and, when appropriate, takes immediate corrective action to stop the harassment and prevent it from recurring.
Violations of this policy, regardless of whether an actual law has been violated, will not be tolerated. Weastec will promptly, thoroughly, and fairly investigate every issue that is brought to its attention in this area and will take disciplinary action, when appropriate, up to and including termination of employment.