(AJJA)
HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION POLICY
PREAMBLE
multicultural composition of its Academy, and appreciates
the dignity, worth and contribution of each member.
It is committed to providing a safe organizational environment
free from discrimination and harassment.
No offending conduct will be tolerated.
AJJA recognises the need to ensure that this Policy is
consistently and fairly applied throughout its entire Clubs,
and accordingly it shall be administered centrally in the
manner herein described, regardless of whether the complaint
originates from an instructor or student. In furtherance of
this pledge to equality and dignity, AJJA is committed to:
• Monitoring and regularly reviewing human resource policies
and procedures to ensure the provision of equality in employment,
specifically in hiring, training, promotion and working conditions.
• Developing strategies to seek out and encourage all individuals
to participate in AJJA activities, and to compete for opportunities
of interest to them.
• Recognising the importance of accommodating persons with
disabilities in a manner which respects their dignity.
• Regularly review equity initiatives to ensure progress and currency.
• Furthering equality through communication of equality related policies
and initiatives, and providing appropriate training to support those
policies and initiatives.
THE POLICY
APPLICATION: The Harassment and Discrimination Policy (the “Policy”)
applies to all Members of AJJA, including students, instructors, and
volunteers, applicants for volunteer positions, employees, and applicants
for employment in the course of their activities with AJJA.
Any member of AJJA who breaches this Policy, or who makes a frivolous
or malicious complaint, is liable to disciplinary penalties, up to and
including permanent dismissal from AJJA membership or employment.
DEFINITIONS: Discrimination is differential treatment, whether intentional or not, arising
out of a person’s race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex,
sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, handicap or record of offences, which
has the effect of imposing burdens, obligations or disadvantages not imposed on others, or
which withholds or limits access to opportunities, benefits and advantages which are available
to others. Harassment is a course of vexatious comment or conduct that is known or ought
reasonably to be known to be unwelcome. It is a type of Discrimination which may or may
not be sexual in nature, and can take many forms, including, but not limited to
• Threats, intimidation or verbal abuse
• Unwelcome remarks or jokes about subjects such as the person’s
race, religion, disability age or other characteristic
• Displaying sexist, racist or other offensive pictures or posters
• Physical assault
• Retaliation in any form for having filed a complaint of Discrimination,
or assisted in complaint proceedings.
Member means any employee, instructor or student registered with
AJJA anywhere in
PROHIBITED CONDUCT:
AJJA will not tolerate or condone Harassment or Discrimination, whether
it is between Members, or a Member of the organization and a member
of the public.
MEMBERS’ RIGHTS:
Every Member can expect any complaint involving alleged Harassment
or Discrimination to be taken seriously and dealt with promptly, thoroughly,
fairly and in confidence. A Member who is the subject of a complaint under
this Policy and who has reason to believe that the complaint is vexatious,
made in bad faith, or is itself a form of Harassment, may file a complaint.
Every Member has the right to:
• File a complaint without fear of embarrassment or reprisal.
• Be represented and accompanied by a person of his or her choosing
during the interviews related to his or her complaint.
• Be kept informed throughout the process, and advised of the final outcome.
THE COMPLAINT PROCEDURE:
General: AJJA encourages Members to resolve complaints under this Policy
between themselves, if possible, or where necessary with the assistance
of the class Instructor. AJJA recognises, however, that not all complainants
are comfortable speaking directly to an alleged offender, nor is it appropriate
for a complainant to do so.
Where the Member is not comfortable dealing directly with the alleged
offender, that Member is encouraged to seek the assistance and support
of his or her instructor to attempt to resolve the situation directly with
the alleged offender.
DISCIPLINE:
A Member may be disciplined where a complaint against him or her is
substantiated. A complainant may be disciplined where the complaint
was vexatious, made in bad faith, or itself a form of Harassment, discipline
may include but not limited to:
• Providing a written apology.
• Permanent or partial separation of the offender and victim.
• Demotion, suspension or expulsion of the offender.
APPEAL PROCEDURE:
Members who are dissatisfied with the outcome of the complaint procedure
may apply by way of letter to the AJJA Founder and request a review of the
decision, stating explicitly the grounds for the request.
