whitney awards non-discrimination & harassment policy

The Whitney Awards prohibits discrimination and/or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, body size, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law in any area, activity, or operation of the Whitney Awards. The Whitney Awards also prohibits retaliation against an individual for engaging in activity protected under this policy and interfering with rights or privileges granted under anti-discrimination laws. In addition, the Whitney Awards complies with applicable provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), related Executive Orders 11246 and 11375, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”), and all local and state civil rights laws. The Whitney Awards is committed to providing a safe and accessible environment for all.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to: verbal comments, written comments, or displayed images related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, body size, race, religion; deliberate intimidation; body policing; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention. Harassment is defined by the victim. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Harassment does not include respectful disagreement or critique in good faith.

Code of Conduct

All participants in Whitney Awards events and activities-including awards committee, staff, attendees, and guests-are required to comply with the following anti-harassment code of conduct, which prohibits behaviors including (but not limited to) the following:

• Abusive or offensive comments (verbal or written) related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, or religion
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
• Sustained disruption of presentations
• Inappropriate physical contact
• Unwelcome sexual attention
• Quid pro quo sexual harassment that occurs when one in an authority position requests sex or sexual favors in exchange for professional consideration or assistance.
• Any animal on site is presumed to be a service animal and should be treated respectfully as such.

Reporting Procedures

Persons who feel targeted or that their safety is at risk or who become aware of an attendee not in compliance with this policy should immediately locate the nearest Whitney Awards committee member so that the matter can be handled immediately. See current committee members here.

Reports may be made in person (verbally or in writing) to a committee member, or they may be submitted electronically to whitneyawards@gmail.com.

Sanctions

The Whitney Awards takes all allegations of harassment seriously. Every report will be investigated and appropriate action taken. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Anyone found to be in violation of this policy or of the Storymakers Conference policy may face any of the following sanctions:

• Immediate removal from the Whitney Gala (without refund)
• Termination of membership in the Whitney Academy
• Ineligibility to be nominated or win a Whitney Award or Outstanding Achievement Award
• Prohibition to attend the Whitney Gala on a temporary or permanent basis

Confidentiality

The Whitney Awards will make every reasonable effort to protect the confidentiality of all parties involved in investigations of alleged harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. However, confidentiality is not absolute, and those with a legitimate business reason to know and be informed of the allegations will be informed. All parties in the investigation should treat the matter with discretion and respect for the reputation of all involved.

The Whitney Awards anti-harassment policy prohibits retaliation against any member of the community for reporting harassment, intimidation, or discrimination. The sanctions for retaliation are the same as sanctions for any other form of harassment listed here.

Important Contact Information

• To report: whitneyawards@gmail.com (will be seen by the Whitney Awards Committee president)
• Emergencies: 911
• Provo police: 1-801-852-6210
• Utah County Crisis Line: 1-801-691-LIFE
• Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1-888-421-1100