The Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has published A Guide to Combatting Harassment in the Construction Industry. The guide, released in November, uses a question-and-answer format. Though the guide focuses on federal construction contractors, other employers can use it to better understand and prevent harassment in the workplace.
The guide explains that construction contractors have an affirmative obligation to avoid discrimination and to maintain an environment free of harassment, intimidation, and coercion at all jobsites. These obligations flow from Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and VEVRAA. The guide clarifies that unlawful harassment may come from a co-worker, customer, client, subcontractor, or supervisor.
OFCCP lists best practices for combatting harassment. These include:
- Communicating to personnel that harassment is not tolerated;
- Providing training and examples of harassment to staff;
- Posting EEO policies at all jobsites;
- Developing procedures for harassment complaints and investigations;
- Acting on harassment when an employee reports it.