Approved by the ASCPT Board February, 2018

Objective:

The American Society for Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (“ASCPT”) is committed to providing a professional environment that is free from harassment and discrimination in which all individuals, including employees, members, and volunteers, are treated with respect and dignity.  Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere free from unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation.

This policy applies to conduct by members and volunteers of ASCPT, including officers, directors, committee and task force members, and journal editors, as well as all non-member participants attending ASCPT Meeting and events.  This applies to complaints of harassment that involve members and volunteers of ASCPT at all ASCPT events including, without limitation, board and officer meetings, committee, task force and editorial team meetings, conferences, and ASCPT networking events.  
In order to provide all participants at events, including members and other attendees, speakers, staff, exhibitors, employees and volunteers, the opportunity to interact professionally and benefit from the event, ASCPT is committed to providing a safe and productive environment free of discrimination, hostility, harassment, and retaliation based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.
ASCPT has a zero tolerance policy for discrimination, harassment, and retaliation and is committed to enforcing this policy at all ASCPT events.

Equal Opportunity 

It is ASCPT’s policy to ensure equal opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.  ASCPT prohibits any such discrimination and harassment.

Harassment Defined

Harassment on the basis of any protected characteristic is strictly prohibited.  Harassment includes verbal, written, or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual on the basis of any of the above list protected factors and that: (1) has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; (2) has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual’s performance or ability to participate in ASCPT events; or (3) otherwise affects an individual’s ability to participate in ASCPT  events and activities.

Harassing conduct include epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts, denigrating jokes, offensive texts, and emails, as well as the application of any stereotypes or generalizations based on any of the prohibited grounds.

Sexual harassment means any unwelcome conduct, comment, gesture, or contact of a sexual nature, whether on a one-time basis or in a continuous series of incidents that might reasonably be expected to embarrass, or offend an individual. Sexual harassment also includes any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical unwelcome conduct.

Prohibited Conduct

As a professional organization, ASCPT is committed to diversity, equity, professional treatment of ideas, and respectful treatment of all members, volunteers, and employees at all ASCPT events.  ASCPT seeks to provide a professional atmosphere in which diverse participants may learn, network, and participate in an environment of mutual respect.  Conduct that is prohibited includes:

• Harassment or intimidation based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking, or unsolicited physical contact.
• Harassment, intimidation, or coercion based upon a position as a board member, editor, evaluator, judge, superior or any position of influence.
• Abusive, lewd, or threatening conduct.
• Bullying, harassment or unprofessional conduct toward employees, volunteers, members, or other participants at ASCPT events.
• Physical violence or threats of violence.

Reporting Acts of Discrimination, Harassment or Retaliation

ASCPT cannot take action to stop conduct if it does not know of the conduct. ASCPT encourages reporting of all perceived incidents or discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, regardless of the offender’s identity or position.  Individuals who believe they have been the victim of such conduct should discuss their concerns with the ASCPT CEO, President, or the Society’s legal counsel, Steven Benson (SBenson@wtplaw.com).  In addition, ASCPT encourages individuals to advise the offender that his or her conduct is unwelcome and to request that it be discontinued, if they feel comfortable so doing.  

ASCPT encourages the prompt reporting of complaints or concerns so that immediate action can be taken, if appropriate.  An individual making a complaint may be asked to put the complaint in writing.

At ASCPT events, the CEO will be designated to receive any complaints for that event.  If an individual witnesses or is the victim of prohibited conduct that requires immediate response by the CEO, the individual should contact Abigail Gorman.

In the event that an individual feels that his or her physical safety is in jeopardy, ASCPT encourages the individual to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency to make a report.

Any reported allegations of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation will be investigated promptly.  The investigation may include individual interviews with the parties involved as well as witnesses to the conduct.  

ASCPT will maintain confidentiality to the extent consistent with appropriate investigation and corrective action.

If it is determined that an individual has engaged in prohibited conduct, ASCPT shall determine the appropriate action to be taken, which may include, but is not limited to:

• Private reprimand.
• Expulsion from the ASCPT event without warning or refund.
• Implementation of conditions upon attendance at future ASCPT events.
• Removal of the individual as a board, editor, committee or task force member. 
• Restriction from attendance at future ASCPT events.
• Revocation of membership in ASCPT.

Retaliation

Retaliation against an individual for reporting harassment or discrimination or for participating in an investigation of a claim of harassment or discrimination is a serious violation is strictly prohibited.  Acts of retaliation should be reported immediately and will be promptly addressed.