Denver Chorale Anti-Harassment Policy
The Denver Chorale (or the “ensemble”) is committed to providing contractors, members of the ensemble, and the Board of Directors with an environment that is free of harassment and other abusive conduct.
This includes unlawful harassment of any kind (such as oral, written, visual, or electronic) for any reason, including sexual harassment and other unlawful harassment on the basis of race; color; religion or creed; sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions); age; physical or mental disability; medical condition; military or veteran status; national origin or ancestry; citizenship status; genetic information; marital and partnership status; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; credit history; unemployment; status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking or sex offenses; height; weight; arrest or conviction record; affiliation with a spouse or domestic partner falling within the protected categories of this policy; or any other characteristic protected by applicable U.S. federal, state or local laws (collectively, “protected categories under this policy”). Without limitation, this policy governs conduct both in the board governance, and at rehearsals, performances, and at any other location at which a Denver Chorale accompanist, director, or member of the ensemble engages each other, conducts Denver Chorale business, or otherwise formally represents the Denver Chorale.
Sexual or other unlawful harassment, or abusive conduct, whether committed by or against Denver Chorale personnel, members of the ensemble, members of the board of directors, volunteers, temporary employees, and/or independent contractors is strictly prohibited. The Denver Chorale also will not tolerate sexual or other unlawful harassment, or abusive conduct committed by or against donors, audience members, subscribers, service providers, vendors, or suppliers. Sexual or other unlawful harassment, or abusive conduct is unacceptable in the workplace, at rehearsals or performances, and in any setting which is related to the activities of the Denver Chorale, such as during business trips, meetings, and ensemble-related social events.
Definitions of Conduct Prohibited by This Policy
Sexual Harassment: Sexual harassment means harassment based on someone’s sex or gender and is prohibited under this policy. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, physical, or visual conduct of a sexual nature may constitute sexual harassment when:
submission to or rejection of such advances, requests, or conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of the individual’s employment, membership, or other forms of participation in or with the ensemble;
submission to or rejection of such advances, requests, or conduct is used either explicitly or implicitly as a basis for employment, compensation, artistic, or other decisions affecting the individual with respect to the ensemble; or
such advances, requests, or conduct have the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or participation in the ensemble by creating an intimidating, hostile, humiliating, or sexually offensive environment for work or other activities of the ensemble.
Although defining precisely the types of conduct that might constitute sexual harassment is difficult, examples of prohibited behavior include, without limitation, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, obscene gestures, displaying sexually graphic materials, sending sexually explicit email or voicemail, and other unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, such as uninvited touching of a sexual nature or sexually related comments. Depending upon the circumstances, such conduct also can include sexual or offensive conversation or joking, commenting about an individual’s physical appearance, conversation about one’s own or someone else’s sex life, teasing, or other conduct directed toward a person because of that person’s gender which is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a hostile environment for work or other activities of the ensemble. Sexual harassment includes harassment directed by a person of any gender toward another person.
Other Unlawful Harassment or Abusive Conduct:
Likewise, defining precisely conduct that constitutes “other unlawful harassment” or “abusive conduct” is difficult. However, conduct prohibited under this policy includes malicious conduct in the workplace or in the functions of the ensemble that a reasonable person would find hostile, offensive, and unrelated to Denver Chorale’s legitimate interests as an employer or as a membership based artistic ensemble. Such conduct may include repeated infliction of verbal abuse, such as the use of derogatory remarks, insults, epithets, unwelcome jokes, teasing, touching, or other verbal or physical conduct that a reasonable person would find threatening, intimidating, or humiliating, or the gratuitous sabotage or undermining of a person’s work or participation in the ensemble. When such conduct is based on protected categories under this policy, such conduct will generally be considered other unlawful harassment. When such conduct occurs but is not based on a protected category under this policy, such conduct is considered abusive conduct and is strictly prohibited regardless as to whether such conduct may be characterized as unlawful under applicable law.
A single act will generally not constitute conduct prohibited by this policy, unless especially severe and egregious.
Statement of Policy
The Denver Chorale considers harassment and abusive conduct as completely unacceptable and will not tolerate it under any circumstances. The Board of Directors is responsible for addressing reports of harassment within its community in a timely manner, maintaining a standard and safe way for members to report incidents of harassment, and communicating its anti-harassment policy to Denver Chorale contractors, board members, and ensemble members. All complaints will be treated seriously and investigated promptly. During the investigation process, the Denver Chorale will attempt to maintain confidentiality to the fullest extent possible.
If you believe you have suffered any form of harassment or abusive behavior, please do not hesitate to report the matter to the Board of Directors or to the Denver Chorale Board President. If you have questions concerning this policy, please send an email message to board@denverchorale.org.