Harrassment Protection & Reporting

It is the policy of the Diocese of Portland that all employees are entitled to work in an environment free from all forms of harassment. The diocese will not tolerate the harassment of individuals for any reason, including harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or military status. Comments, conduct, and innuendoes that could be perceived by others as offensive or harassing are wholly inappropriate and are to be strictly avoided.

Harassment is unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Harassment becomes unlawful where 1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment, or 2) the conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. 

Any employee who feels in good faith that he or she has been subjected to or who has knowledge of any harassment prohibited by this policy is to report the incident verbally or in writing to the supervisor, department director, or to the Diocesan Director of Human Resources.

If an employee believes that a report is not being handled properly, Maine law allows them to file a complaint with the Maine Human Rights Commission within six months of the alleged act of unlawful discrimination. A complaint may be filed online or by contacting the commission may be contacted at:

Maine Human Rights Commission
State House
Station 51
Augusta, ME 04333
207-624-6050

A full copy of the harassment policy is available in the employee handbook and by contacting the Office of Human Resources at [email protected].