**GBEBE - MUTUAL RESPECT** **Adoption Date:** 01/05/2016 **Revision History:** 12/1/2022                     MUTUAL RESPECT COMMITMENT In the spirit of collegiality and to promote open and effective dialogue, the South Hadley Public School District is committed to creating and sustaining a safe, caring, respectful professional environment for all employees and families. We will treat all members of our community with civility and respect in an inclusive environment with the goal of supporting responsible behavior in the workplace. Key words that represent our actions and our words are kindness, dignity, responsibility, and professionalism. The School Committee expects that in collaboration with employees and families, each school will develop an atmosphere that promotes mutual respect in support of a positive and productive work environment. VIOLATIONS OF MUTUAL RESPECT    Examples of the kinds of behavior that do not foster a safe and respectful work environment include:     a. causing physical or emotional harm, isolation, or damage to his/her property;     b. creating an unwelcoming or hostile environment for another person;     c. infringing on the rights of another person at school;     d. materially and substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school;     e. humiliating or intimidating behaviors or language that would be deemed obviously        inappropriate behavior to a third party. PROCEDURES Step 1:     The adults directly involved will meet informally to come to a resolution on the given issue. Involved individuals, if applicable, have the right to request union representation. All parties have the right to request a neutral third party to mediate the discussion. If Step 1 is unable to resolve the concern, the matter would move to Step 2. Step 2:     Any party who is involved in the concern has the right to bring the matter to the attention of his or her immediate supervisor within ten (10) school days after the Step 1 meeting has occurred. At that time all relevant notes or written perspectives on the issue will be shared with the immediate supervisor, if applicable. Step 3:     If the matter is not resolved in Step 2 within ten (10) school days, the concerned party has the right to make a formal complaint using the district's complaint process.     The district's responsibility is to investigate the matter in the written complaint, normally within ten (10) calendar days, assuming school is in session. If the matter involves the immediate supervisor, the next professional in the organizational chart will be responsible for investigating the matter.     All parties recognize that the goal is to resolve mutual respect concerns successfully for all parties at the lowest level possible. Thus, this process is not normally considered disciplinary in nature. However, under some circumstances, disciplinary action may be necessary, at which time all parties reserve their respective rights to due process per the appropriate union contract.