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OBA BUSINESS WEEK
VOLUNTEER CODE OF CONDUCT 

Guidelines are for our volunteers and staff not to position themselves or our participants and students in situations where abuse can occur or accusations of abuse can be made. Oregon Business Academy is committed to providing a work environment and student program free of discrimination and harassment. No employee, volunteer, or program participant shall discriminate against or harass another employee, volunteer, or program participant based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or marital status, sexual orientation, the presence of any sensory, physical, or mental handicaps, or any other legally protected status. Discrimination and harassment are forms of misconduct that undermine the integrity of the employment relationship or the goals of the program and may be a violation of the law.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful harassment. In general, it is defined as conduct of a sexual nature that is unwelcome. It can include, but is not limited to: unwanted sexual comments, suggestions, jokes, and innuendo; suggestive, nonverbal behavior; sexual advances or requests for sexual favors; and unwanted, unwelcome physical contact. While serving as a volunteer, participants have the right to be free from such harassment on the job from co-workers, supervisors, management, other volunteers or other participants. While serving as a volunteer, participants have the right to be free from such harassment on the job from co-workers, supervisors, management, other volunteers, or other participants.

DESCRIMINATION & HARASSMENT RESOLUTION

Anyone who believes that he or she is being discriminated against or harassed by a manager, employee, volunteer, or participant of OBA programs should do the following:

  1. If comfortable and practical, identify the offensive behavior to the person and request that it stop.

  2. If it is not comfortable or practical to confront the individual directly, or if you have done so and the behavior is continuing, notify OBA’s Manager, Program Director or CEO.

  3. Concerns or complaints will be promptly investigated. No one will suffer retaliation for reporting a concern or cooperating in an investigation. However, allegations found to be intentionally false or made in bad faith may result in disciplinary action. You have our commitment that we will take your report seriously and investigate with sensitivity. We will protect the confidentiality of those involved to the extent that it is consistent with our need to investigate and resolve the issue.

CONFIDENTIALITY OF RESOLUTION

If a co-worker, fellow volunteer, or fellow participant expresses concern about your behavior, please respect their concern and correct the situation. Regardless of your intent, how others interpret your behavior is important. Please respect the confidential nature of this issue and refrain from discussing situations with others. It can be professionally and legally damaging to a person's reputation.

VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF WILL NOT:

  • Have any inappropriate contact, during the program or after, with any student met through OBA.

  • Violate any state laws regarding sexual harassment or child abuse, including, but not limited to, providing alcohol or other controlled substances to minors.

  • Dress in a manner that is inconsistent with good taste considering prevailing weather conditions.

  • Use profanity or inappropriate language while in contact with OBA participants.

​In the context of the above guidelines, our volunteers and staff are advised to consider the following:

  • Serve as a model of appropriate, professional behavior in the workplace.

  • Be in public view as often as possible. Do not place yourself in a position where you are alone with a student and out of sight from other people.

  • Understand and be aware of your own comfort levels and actions and how they appear to affect others.

  • Establish a clear code of conduct for yourself, other staff, and students. This includes touching, boundaries, and role definitions.

  • Communicate clearly (particularly verbally) the codes of conduct and behavior guidelines to your students.

  • Use the team approach in sensitive areas and include another volunteer or staff member.

  • Document in detail all situations that may be questionable or fall outside of these guidelines.

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