1. POLICY STATEMENT

The institute has a zero-tolerance policy for any sort of harassment. It constitutes an offence. The Institute maintains an environment in which students and teaching and non-teaching staff can engage in free enquiry and open discussion of all issues without intimidation and harassment of others.

2. HARASSMENT DEFINED

Harassment may be overt or subtle, and can range from intimidating visual signals or gestures to verbal abuse to physical contact, persistent and unwelcome flirting. Harassment generally takes place when there is power or authority difference among persons involved (Student / Teacher, Employee / Employer, Junior Teacher / Senior Teacher, Supervisee / Supervisor).

3. TYPES OF HARASSMENTS

• Bullying, cyberbullying, harassment and / or sexual harassment.
• Falsifying a complaint or evidence leading to defamation of character.
• Lying / deliberately misleading the investigation process.
• Asking students to visit personal offices after office hours or meet out of the Institute premises with the promise of improvement in grades or to discuss academics.
• Intimation and providing material to print or social media in order to tarnish the reputation (character assassination) of faculty / staff / student / employer.
• Vulgar jokes, gossip, written or oral references to obscenity and unwelcome staring, whistling, brushing against the body, suggestive or insulting comments.
• Students visiting teacher (opposite gender) in his / her office unnecessarily and for long hours and initiating intimacy through letters, messages and emails for benefits.
• Support staff asking students to pay for doing their official work.
• Threatening students by using forge / fake documents and pictures to black mail them into compliance.
• Anonymous letters / pamphlets / e-mails / text messages defaming or assassinating character of employees / teachers / students.
• Harassment of students by students of any sort.
• Active assistance to a bully / harasser before, during or after the incident in question.

4. JURISDICTION

Action of misconduct by students, faculty, staff, other members of institution or third parties whether on campus or off campus but connected with institution activity of any kind, or by using institute resources.

5. FALSE ALLEGATION

Allegations of harassment made out of malice or intent to hurt the reputation of the persons against whom the complaint is filed will be dealt with as serious offence.

6. INFORMAL RESOLUTION WITHOUT A WRITTEN COMPLAINT

The primary objective of resolution is to stop the offending behavior. To this end, it is important that complaints be resolved through informal means. After attempting ‘Informal Resolution without a Written Complaint’, the complainant may decide to take no further action or to proceed with the formulation of a written complaint.

7. PENALTIES / SANCTIONS AND REMEDIES

Following penalties, singly or in combination, may be imposed upon any respondent:

Teaching / Non-Teaching Staff

• inclusion of the decision in a specified personnel file (s) of the respondent; with a possible impact on promotions and other benefits.
• Exclusion of the respondent from a designated portion(s) of the institute’s buildings or spaces, or from one or more designated institute’s activities, where such penalty is appropriate to the offence and where the penalty does not prevent the respondent from carrying out her/his professional duties.
• The imposition of a fine or imposition of conditions as decided by the Tribunal.
• Recommendation for suspension of the respondent without pay.
• Recommendation for dismissal.
• Others, as deemed appropriate.

Student

• Oral or written reprimand.
• Inclusion of the decision in a personal file of the respondent, for a specified period.
• Prohibition of the respondent from attending a course, a programme, or a teaching unit, for a certain period.
• Cancellation of admission.
• Others, as deemed appropriate.
• In case of more serious violations, formal sanctions like withholding of academic certificates / marks sheet for a period of time, suspension or expulsion may be imposed.

8. FOCAL PERSON

Following persons will immediately be contacted to report any such act:

• Mr. Zohaib Yar Khan
• Ms. Rizwana Qamar

9. INQUIRY COMMITTEE

• Mr. Rehan Ahmed
• Ms. Seema Khalid Dr.
• Mr. Kamran Wadood
• Ms. Rohana Tariq
• Mr. Aftab Ahmed

10. REPORTING / COMPLAINTS

• All complaints of harassment be launched with focal persons or inquiry committee within two months.
• All complaints when launched should be shared for action either by focal person or committee within 24 hours.
• Immediate interim measures be taken by focal persons. Complainant may contact inquiry committee if not satisfied with the measures. Inquiry committee will adopt following timelines:

 

S.NO	MEASURES	PROCESS TIMELINE (DAYS)
01	Communication of charges to the concerned	01-02 (02 Days)
02	Reply by accused	03-05 (03 Days)
03	Completion of inquiry in all respect	06-13 (07 Days)
04	Decision communication & implementation	14-17 (03 days)

 

11. RIGHT OF APPEAL

Both complainant and respondent can appeal the decision within 30 days.

12. APPELLATE BODY

Following appellate body will deal with all harassment appeals:

• Chairman Academic Advisory Committee
• Executive Director – CET
• Principal – Commecs College