Sexual harassment is a violation of the Maine Human Rights Act of 1964 (Title 5, chapter 337) and the federal
Civil Rights Act. The Legislative Council has adopted policies designed to provide a work environment for both
legislators and legislative employees that is free from sexual intimidation, hostility and offensiveness.
Sexual harassment is deliberate or repeated comments, gestures or physical contacts of a sexual nature that are
unsolicited and unwelcome by the recipient. The following actions constitute sexual harassment and are subject
to disciplinary action:
· Abusing the dignity of an employee through insulting or degrading behavior such as:
- Repeated sexual flirtations, advances or propositions;
- Continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature, sexually related comments and jokes, graphic or degrading comments about an employee’s appearance, or the display of sexually suggestive pictures of either sex or objects; and
- Any unwelcome physical contact or touching, such as patting, pinching, or constant brushing against an employee’s body;
· Threats, demands or suggestions that an employee’s work status, job security, opportunity for advancement,
salary, benefits, work assignment or other condition of employment are contingent upon the employee’s toleration
of or acquiescence to sexual advances; or
· Retaliation against employees for complaining about the behaviors described above.
Victims of sexual harassment may file a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission. In addition, the Legislative
Council has established a procedure that encourages informal resolution of a complaint. A legislative employee
who feels subjected to any form of sexual harassment should notify his or her immediate supervisor, the office
director, or the Executive Director of the Legislative Council. A legislator who feels subjected to any form of
sexual harassment should notify his or her caucus leader, presiding officer, or the Secretary of the Senate or
Clerk of the House.
Complaints will be investigated immediately, and an attempt will be made to resolve the situation. If complaints
are found to have merit, disciplinary actions will be instituted