Enhancing our Anti-Harassment Initiatives
Secretary Bunch explains that it is up to each of us to create and maintain a safe work environment.
We, as an organization, are collectively responsible for ensuring a harassment-free and safe work environment. When it comes to combatting harassment, every organization including ours can and must do better. My personal dedication to an inclusive workplace where all staff can work in safety is shared by my entire leadership team.
The Smithsonian is committed to improving our processes, increasing employee resources, and driving transformative change to ensure the Institution is and continues to be a model place to work and visit. To that end, I am pleased to announce significant enhancements to the Smithsonian’s anti-harassment initiatives.
The SI Civil Program, which was created last year, is a resource for all employees and affiliated staff. The program provides a method for individuals to report incidents of harassment, workplace violence, or retaliatory behaviors impacting the workplace. This covers incidents involving any member of the Smithsonian community, including not only employees, but also any affiliated staff or stakeholders.
Recognizing the importance of this program, we will be expanding its capacity and staff. Other forthcoming enhancements will include a 24/7 toll-free number for reporting in English and Spanish, an online reporting platform, an annual culture survey, and an SI-wide expectation of conduct document. We will also implement new mandatory training modules on harassment-prevention topics, including respectful communications and bystander intervention, and provide targeted guidance materials to specific populations at the Smithsonian, including interns and fellows.
These new measures have been designed with the helpful input and feedback of our staff. We will continue to engage Smithsonian organizations, including employee diversity and inclusion committees, to provide input on additional actions to implement. I thank all of you who have contributed your thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations; I hope you will continue to share those.
These processes and steps will be put into place across the Institution. We will ensure that every Smithsonian organization implements the SI-wide anti-harassment actions, including:
1) designation of a senior leader responsible for implementing anti-harassment actions and reporting status updates to Smithsonian leadership,
2) enforcing mandatory training requirements, and
3) providing frequent communications to staff on this topic.
I will be holding each senior leader and their leadership teams accountable for these actions. Additionally, my leadership team and I commit to enhanced transparency on this topic and will provide an annual summary of the numbers and types of reported incidents and the outcomes.
With these actions, we are building on the effective changes to policies and procedures that have been implemented over the past year. One of my top priorities is to ensure a harassment-free and safer workplace. I know you will join me in ensuring the success of making us a better, stronger, and more accountable organization.
Finally, I remind everyone that all forms of harassment, threats, intimidation, retaliatory behavior, and other misconduct are prohibited by Smithsonian policies. The Smithsonian will not tolerate harassment or inappropriate behavior of any kind, including sexual harassment, and will take appropriate action as necessary to ensure that violations are promptly addressed.
Sincerely,
Lonnie Bunch
Secretary
Additional resources are available for employees as part of the SI Civil Program. If you have a complaint or concern, please contact SI Civil Program Coordinator Amanda Jones at 202-633-6379 or sicivil@si.edu.
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Posted: 31 January 2022
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