Harassment Prevention and Response (Civilian Focus)


Prevention Shield IconThe DoD will not tolerate or condone harassment, to include harassment that is not unlawful but adversely affects the work environment. Harassment jeopardizes combat readiness and mission accomplishment, weakens trust, and erodes organizational cohesion. Harassment is fundamentally at odds with the obligations of Service members and DoD civilian employees to treat others with dignity and respect.

Harassment can be oral, visual, written, physical, or electronic. Harassment can occur through electronic communications, including social media, other forms of communication, and in person.  Harassing behavior may include, but is not limited to: unwanted physical contact, offensive jokes, epithets or name-calling, ridicule or mockery, insults or put-downs, displays of offensive objects or imagery, offensive non-verbal gestures, stereotyping, intimidating acts, veiled threats of violence, threatening or provoking remarks, racial or other slurs, derogatory remarks about a person’s accent or disability, or displays of racially offensive symbols.

Behavior that is unwelcome or offensive to a reasonable person and that interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment is prohibited. All allegations of harassment must be evaluated under the totality of the circumstances, to include an assessment of the nature of the conduct and the context in which the conduct occurred. In some circumstances, a single incident of harassing behavior is prohibited harassment whereas, in other circumstances, repeated or recurring harassing behavior may be required to constitute prohibited harassment.

Do you have all the tools you need to be effective? Review the video below to learn more.

Awareness Overview Video:  Harassment Prevention


Awareness Overview Video:  A General Look at Harassment Prevention and Response

Discriminatory Harassment Overview

 

PRINCIPLES OF PREVENTION (PoP)


Introduction to Principles of Prevention (Video)

 

►  PoP Tri-Fold

POP Training Guide - Facilitation Strategy

►  Presentation
►  Presentation with Instructor Notes

A Leaders Guide to Harassment Prevention

►  Guide

 

RACE


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Title 7 of Public Law 88-352 (discrimination on the basis of race).

Videos

 

Racial Discrimination - He's So Square

 

Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

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Racial DIscrimination Poster
 

COLOR


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Title 7 of Public Law 88-352 (discrimination on the basis of color.
 

Videos
 

Color Discrimination

Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

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Color Discrimination Poster

RELIGION


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Title 7 of Public Law 88-352 (discrimination on the basis of religion).

 
Videos - coming soon!
 
Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

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Image of Religious Discimination Poster
Religious Tolerance/Discrimination Poster

 

SEX


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Title 7 of Public Law 88-352 (discrimination on the basis of sex) and Public Law 88-38 (sex-based wage discrimination).

Includes sex-based wage-Equal Pay/Compensation, pregnancy and sexual orientation/gender identity

Sex Discrimination Products
 
 
Videos - coming soon!
 
Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information
 
Posters

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Poster Pregnancy Discrimination Civilian

Pregnancy Discrimination - Civilian

 

NATIONAL ORIGIN


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Title 7 of Public Law 88-352 (discrimination on the basis of national origin).

 
Videos

 

What's That Smell? (Scenario)

►  Facilitation Guide:  What's That Smell?

Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

Click on the poster image(s) to download the full-sized product.

2022 National Origin Discrimination Poster
National Origin Discrimination Poster

 

AGE


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Public Law 90-202 (discrimination on the basis of age when the aggrieved individual is at least 40 years of age).

Age Discrimination Products
 

Videos


Age Discrimination (USCG Version) Scenario #1

►  Facilitation Guide:  Age Discrimination (USCG)

Age Discrimination Overview and Scenario #2

Age Discrimination Scenario #3:  Breakroom Blast

►  Facilitation Guide: Breakroom Blast

Prevention Principles
 

►  Orientation Guide - Coming Soon!

 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 

 

Posters

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2022 Age Discrimination Poster       Age Discrimination Poster  

Age Discrimination Posters

 

DISABILITY


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Section 701 of Title 29, U.S.C. (discrimination on the basis of disability).

Videos

 

Disability Discrimination Awareness Overview

Visibility Discrimination

►  Visibility Discrimination - Facilitation Guide

 

Prevention Principles - coming soon!

 

 
Additional Information - coming soon!

 
Posters

Visit the Disability Awareness Tab and the Product Archives in the Special Observances area for additional Disability Awareness poster ideas.
Click on the poster image(s) to download the full-sized product.



2019 Disability Awareness Poster  2018 Disability Awareness Poster

Disability Awareness/Discrimination Posters

GENETIC INFORMATION


Definition

Harassment constituting employment discrimination prohibited by Public Law 110-233 (discrimination on the basis of genetic information).
 

Videos - coming soon!
 
Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

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Genetic Information Discrimination Poster

Genetic Information Discrimination Poster

SEXUAL HARASSMENT


Definition

Unlawful discriminatory harassment that is based on conduct of a sexual nature. It involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: It explicitly or implicitly becomes a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career.

For example: 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 It is so severe or pervasive that a reasonable person would perceive, and the DoD civilian employee does perceive, the environment as hostile or offensive.

Videos

 

Sexual Harassment Overview Version 1


Sexual Harassment Overview Version 2


Ms. Molly (Scenario)

►  Ms Molly - Facilitation Guide

 

Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

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Sexual Harassment Poster

STALKING


Definition

Per DoDI 1020.04   Harassment Prevention and Response for DoD Civilian Employees: 
Stalking:  A form of harassment that includes repeated harassing, unwanted, or threatening conduct that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his or her safety or the safety of others. Stalking may occur through use of technology including, but not limited to, email, telephone, voicemail, text messaging, drones, cameras, microphones, and use of electronic tracking and monitoring and social networking sites. 

Stalking conduct may include, but it is not limited to: 
Following, spying on, or waiting for an individual in places such as home, school, work, or recreational places. Leaving unwanted items. Making direct or indirect threats to harm an individual, an individual’s children, relatives, friends, pets, or property. Posting information or spreading rumors about an individual on the internet, in a public place, or by word of mouth. Obtaining or using personal information about an individual accessed through public records, using internet search services, hiring private investigators, going through an individual’s garbage, following an individual, or contacting an individual’s friends, family, work, or neighbors. In most state and federal jurisdictions, to include that of the Military Departments under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, stalking is a crime.
 

Stalking Products
 

►  Stalking Fact Sheet
►  Stalking Focus Group Questions
►  Stalking Quiz

 
Videos

 

Stalking Overview

 

Prevention Principles - coming soon!

Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

Click on the poster image(s) to download the full-sized product.


Stalking Poster Version 1Stalking Poster Version 2

BULLYING


Definition

Per DoDI 1020.04   Harassment Prevention and Response for DoD Civilian Employees:  
Bullying - A form of harassment that involves aggressive acts intended to harm, either physically or psychologically, another person without a proper governmental purpose but with a nexus to employment. Bullying includes singling out an individual from his or her coworkers for ridicule because he or she is considered different or weak. It often involves an imbalance of power between the aggressor and the individual. Bullying does not include a properly directed command or organizational activities that serve a proper military or other governmental purpose. Bullying can be conducted through the use of electronic devices or communications, and by other means including social media, as well as in person.

Bullying is evaluated by a reasonable person standard and includes, but is not limited to, the following conduct when performed without a proper governmental purpose:
Physically striking another person in any manner, or threatening to do the same. Intimidating, teasing, or taunting another person. Oral or written berating (including electronic medium) of another person with the purpose of belittling or humiliating. Encouraging another person to engage in illegal, harmful, demeaning, or dangerous acts. Playing abusive or malicious tricks. Piercing, branding, handcuffing, duct taping, tattooing, shaving, greasing, or painting another person. Subjecting another person to excessive or abusive use of water. Forcing another person to consume food, alcohol, drugs, or any other substance. Degrading or damaging another’s property or reputation. Soliciting, coercing, or knowingly permitting another person to solicit or coerce acts of bullying.

Bullying Products
 

►  Civilian Bullying Fact Sheet
►  Civilian Bullying Fact Sheet References
►  Civilian Bullying Focus Group Questions
►  Civilian Bullying Prevention Strategy

Videos

 

Bullying (Awareness Overview)

 
Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information
 
Posters

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HAZING


Definition

Per DoDI 1020.04   Harassment Prevention and Response for DoD Civilian Employees
Hazing - A form of harassment that involves conduct, without a proper governmental purpose but with a nexus to employment, intended to physically or psychologically injure or create a risk of physical or psychological injury to a person for the purpose of: initiation into, admission into, affiliation with, change in status or position within, or a condition for continued membership in any military or DoD organization. Hazing does not include a properly directed command or organizational activities that serve a proper military or other governmental purpose. Hazing can be conducted through the use of electronic devices or communications, and by other means including social media, as well as in person.

Hazing is evaluated by a reasonable person standard and includes, but is not limited to, the following when performed without a proper military or other governmental purpose: 
Any form of initiation or congratulatory act that involves physically striking another person in any manner, or threatening to do the same. Oral or written berating (including electronic medium) of another person with the purpose of belittling or humiliating. Encouraging or coercing another person to engage in demeaning, illegal, harmful, or dangerous acts. 
Playing abusive or malicious tricks. Piercing, branding, handcuffing, duct taping, tattooing, shaving, greasing, or painting another person. Subjecting another person to excessive or abusive use of water. Forcing another person to consume food, alcohol, drugs, or any other substance. Soliciting, coercing, or knowingly permitting another person to solicit or coerce acts of hazing. 
 

Videos

 

Hazing Overview

 
Prevention Principles - coming soon!
 
Additional Information - coming soon!
 
Posters

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POLICIES AND OTHER PUBLICATIONS


►  DoD Instruction 1020.04, Harassment Prevention and Response for DoD Civilian Employees

►  Best Practices for Eradicating Religious Discrimination in the Workplace (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

►  Best Practices in EEO Conflict Case Management for Federal Agencies (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

►  Promising Practices for Preventing Harassment in the Federal Sector (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

►  Promising Practices for Preventing Harassment (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

For other laws/directives/guidelines affecting EEO topics, visit our EEO Toolkit tab.

 

GENERAL USE HARASSMENT PREVENTION POSTERS


Click on any image to download a full size version of each poster.

General Harassment Prevention Poster

2021 Harassment Prevention Retaliation Poster

2021 Racial Discrimination Poster

General
Harassment Prevention
Retaliation Racial Discrimination
2020 Age Discrimination Poster 2021 Maltreatment Poster 2021 Ostracism Poster
Age Discrimination Maltreatment Ostracism
Image of 2022 Religious Discrimination Poster 2021 Harassment Prevention Reprisal Poster Image of Abuse of Power Poster
Religious Discrimination Reprisal Abuse of Power
Sexual Harassment Poster Poster Pregnancy Discrimination Civilian 2023 Cognitive Diversity Poster
Sexual Harassment Pregnancy Discrimination - Civilian Cognitive Diversity
Color Discrimination Poster Criminal Acts Poster  
Color Discrimination Criminal Acts  

 

RETALIATION


Definition
 

Retaliation encompasses illegal, impermissible, or hostile actions taken by a Service members' chain of command, peers, or coworkers as a result of making or being suspected of making a protected communication in accordance with DoDD 7050.66. Retaliation for reporting a criminal offense can occur in several ways, including reprisal. Investigation of complaints of non-criminal retaliatory actions other than reprisal will be processed consistent with Service-specific regulations. In addition to reprisal, defined in Paragraph 3.7, additional retaliatory behaviors include ostracism, maltreatment, and criminal acts for a retaliatory purpose in connection with an alleged sex-related offense or sexual harassment; or for performance of duties concerning an alleged sex-related offense of sexual harassment.


Retaliation is conduct that punishes a DoD civilian employee for asserting the right to be free from harassment in the workplace. Retaliatory behaviors include, but are not limited to, reprisal, ostracism, maltreatment, and criminal acts for a retaliatory purpose. Retaliation includes illegal, impermissible, or hostile actions taken with the knowledge of management against DoD civilian employees for: Filing or being a witness in a charge, report, inquiry, or lawsuit; Communicating with a supervisor or manager about discrimination, including harassment; Answering questions during a DoD Component inquiry of alleged harassment; Refusing to follow orders that would result in harassment; or Resisting sexual advances or intervening to protect others.


For detailed definitions of the full range of retaliatory behaviors, see the RPRS Implementation Plan.

Retaliation Products
 

►  Retaliation Overview
►  Retaliation Risk and Protective Factors
►  Retaliation Focus Group Questions
►  Retaliation Quiz
►  Retaliation Prevention Strategy

Videos (Coming Soon!

 

Prevention Principles

►  Orientation Paper
►  Retaliation Prevention (Video)

Posters

Image of 2021 Retaliatin Poster

REPRISAL


Definition

A form of retaliation that involves taking, threatening, or recommending taking an unfavorable personnel action (demote, separate, treat unfairly, etc.); or withholding, threatening, or recommending withholding a favorable personnel action, for making, preparing to make, or being perceived as engaged in the anti-harassment process.

Reprisal Products
 

►  Reprisal Overview
►  Reprisal Fact Sheet
►  Reprisal Fact Sheet - Screen Reader Version
►  Reprisal Focus Group Questions
  Reprisal Prevention Strategies
►  Reprisal Quiz

 
 
Videos


Reprisal Video

 

Prevention Principles


►  Orientation Paper


Additional Information-coming soon
 
 
Posters

Image of 2021 Reprisal Poster

Click on the poster image to download a 30 X 40 inch version

MALTREATMENT


Definition - coming soon!

 

Videos

 

Maltreatment (Overview Version 1)

 

Maltreatment (Overview Version 2)

 

Prevention Principles - coming soon!

 

Additional Information - coming soon!

 

Posters
Click on the poster image(s) to download the full-sized product.
 

 

OSTRACISM


Definition - coming soon!

 

Videos

 

Ostracism Awareness Overview Version 1 Video

Ostracism Awareness Overview Version 2 Video

 

Prevention Principles - coming soon!

 

Additional Information - coming soon!

 

Posters

Click on the poster image(s) to download the full-sized product.

Ostracism Poster

CRIMINAL ACTS


Definition


Criminal activity, either reported in conjunction with a harassment allegation or identified during the process of responding to the harassment allegation, must be immediately reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The DoD Component’s process to respond to harassment allegations may occur collaterally only if it does not hinder the criminal investigation.

The appropriate Military Criminal Investigative Organization or the Pentagon Force Protection Agency will immediately notify the Department of Justice, in accordance with DoDI 5525.07, of criminal allegations involving perpetrators who are not subject to Chapter 47, Title 10, U.S.C. (also known and referred to in this issuance as “the Uniform Code of Military Justice”) when the alleged crime occurred on a military installation or the Pentagon Reservation.

Reports and disclosures of sexual assault by DoD civilian employees who are adult military dependents, members of the Reserve Component, or stationed outside the continental United States are covered by DoDD 6495.02, which contains the policy for eligibility for Restricted (confidential) and Unrestricted reporting and Sexual Assault.

Videos - coming soon!

 

Prevention Principles - coming soon!

 

Additional Information - coming soon!

 

Posters

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2022 Criminal Acts Poster

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