The 1992 General Conference approved Calendar Item 1577, page 532 of the Daily Christian Advocate which "...mandates that all its boards, agencies, councils, conferences, organizations and institutions establish a policy statement which addresses racial harassment. The statement shall include procedures for submitting grievances and resolving the allegations of racial harassment."
Early in the 1993-96 quadrennium the General Council on Finance and Administration, under its disciplinary responsibilities, developed a comprehensive policy for the general agencies on Harassment of Employees. As one of the councils of the church and in fulfillment of the 1992 General Conference mandate, the GCOM adopted the policy on Harassment of Employees, which includes specific provisions related to racial harassment, as follows:
"GCOM will not condone or tolerate harassment of one employee by another. Harassment may take the form of remarks about age, race, religion; sexually suggestive actions or statements; or any other activity which defames, ridicules, intimidates, or embarrasses an employee. Harassment in the work place violates federal and/or state law.
Racial harassment is an act of covert or overt racism. When prejudicial and/or racist attitudes are expressed in a behavior that is focused specifically on the abuse, humiliation, and defamation of persons because of their race or ethnicity, this will be considered racial harassment.
The 1992 General Conference defines the following as racial harassment:
Abusive and/or derogatory language that in a subtle or overt manner belittles, humiliates, impugns, or defames a person or a group of persons based on racial and ethnic traits, heritage, and characteristics.
A behavior (individual, group or institutional) which abuses, belittles, humiliates, defames or demeans a person or group of persons based on racial and ethnic traits, heritage and characteristics.
Documentation, printed or visual, which abuses, humiliates, defames or demeans a person or group of persons based on racial and ethnic heritage and traits, or on heritage, or on characteristics."
Within the GCOM personnel policies, there are specific procedures for submitting grievances and resolving allegations related to harassment, including racial harassment. Information on these procedures can be furnished on request.
General Conference Webmaster: Susan Brumbaugh
PETS Creator: John Brawn
Petition Text: 21710-GJ-NonDis-O
1996 United Methodist General Conference