Compliance, Legal and Risk

We are all responsible for creating an environment where we are treated with respect and dignity. Sometimes behavior that seems acceptable to you may be offensive to others. Any harassment or false accusations of harassment, of or by employees or students, is not acceptable. Benedictine University prohibits harassment on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or membership in any other group protected by law, including the following behaviors:

• Unsolicited remarks, gestures, or physical contact; display or circulation of written material or pictures negative or offensive to gender or to racial, ethnic, religious or other groups protected by law;
• Unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and all other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual or otherwise offensive nature, especially where submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or academic advancement or status, or the basis for employment-related decisions affecting the employee or decisions affecting the individual’s academic advancement or status; or
• Conduct that has the purpose or effect of interfering with an employee’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or learning environment.

If you ever believe you have been the subject of sexual or other harassment (or a violation of the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy), report the alleged conduct immediately to your supervisor, the Director of Human Resources, or any other senior University official, for prompt investigation.  Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible, consistent with the conduct of a prompt and effective investigation.

Benedictine University prohibits any form of retaliation against any employee or student for filing a complaint or for assisting in a complaint investigation.

Any employee who violates Benedictine University’s harassment policy is subject to corrective action that may include termination of employment.

The University prohibits the use of its telecommunication equipment to make or send fraudulent, unlawful or abusive calls or messages.

Anonymous Reporting Helpline

On June 1, 2010, the Office of Administration and Finance Services launched a confidential web-based tool to assist employees in reporting misconduct in the workplace. Employees may make an anonymous report by contacting the University’s Anonymous Reporting Line via telephone at (866) 326-2747 or internet at Benedictine University Compliance and Ethics Helpline. Reports can be made 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Compliance and Ethics Helpline

The establishment of this additional reporting mechanism does not take the place of reporting misconduct to your supervisor or any senior university official, but it provides an additional avenue of reporting and satisfies the University’s obligation for compliance with both federal and state law pertaining to the Whistleblower Act.