Sustainable AASTMT

Anti Harassment Policy

Anti-Harassment Policy

1. Description

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) is committed to creating a workplace and learning environment that promotes mutual respect and dignity for all its employees and students. Every individual is entitled to work and study in an environment that ensures equal opportunities and is free from harassment in any form.

AASTMT expects that all interactions among students, staff, faculty, and employees are conducted professionally and free from any form of bias, prejudice, or harassment.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

• All staff, students, employees, and applicants who work or study at the Academy, regardless of whether the act was committed by a coworker or a third party not directly affiliated with AASTMT (e.g., an outside vendor, consultant, or customer).
• Conduct that occurs inside or outside AASTMT campuses, including classes, labs, dormitories, offices, and any education or work-related environment, as well as student and business trips, meetings, and related social events.

This policy is non-contractual and may be updated at any time.

3. Aims of the Policy

AASTMT has implemented this policy to guarantee that all students and employees experience an environment free from unlawful harassment and retaliation. The Academy will make every reasonable effort to ensure that:

• All individuals are informed of this policy.
• Any complaints regarding violations are thoroughly investigated and addressed appropriately.

4. Definitions

Harassment

Behaviors that are unsolicited, unwanted, and inappropriate, causing distress to those affected. Harassing behavior may be physical, verbal, or suggestive and can occur in person or through electronic means. It includes, but is not limited to, the misuse of power to harm others (bullying), intimidation, unsolicited advances, direct insults, and malicious gossip.

For behavior to be classified as harassment, it must either occur repeatedly or constitute a single serious incident. Harassment does not include:

• Legitimate decisions, requests, work assignments, or performance evaluations made by supervisors.
• Disciplinary actions based on university-approved regulations.
• Reasonable expressions of opinion and criticism.
• Interpersonal conflicts within the bounds of what an individual can reasonably be expected to tolerate in high-pressure situations.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited under Egyptian law. For the purposes of this policy, sexual harassment is defined as unwanted sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

5. Policy Statement

This policy must not be used to exclude or isolate any individual based on gender identity or any other protected characteristic from educational or work-related activities at the Academy. The statutes and regulations of AASTMT prohibit discrimination based on sex or any other protected characteristic concerning educational or employment terms, conditions, privileges, and benefits.

The prohibitions against harassment and retaliation are intended to complement and strengthen these regulations, not serve as a justification for exclusion.

6. Reporting an Incident of Harassment

AASTMT strongly encourages the reporting of any perceived instances of harassment, regardless of the offender's identity or position. Individuals who believe they have been subjected to such behavior should:

• Students: speak with the student affairs department representative or the college vice dean for students' affairs.
• Staff members and employees: speak with their immediate supervisor, a member of the personnel practices committee, human resources, or an ombudsman.

AASTMT also advises individuals who suspect they are being subjected to such conduct to notify the perpetrator directly and request that the behavior cease, as this is often sufficient to resolve the issue. Individuals may also choose to pursue the matter through formal complaint procedures.

7. Complaint Procedures

Individuals who believe they have been victims of or have witnessed activities prohibited by this policy should report their concerns to:

• Their immediate representative in the student affairs department
• The college vice dean for student affairs
• Their supervisor
• Human Resources
• Any member of the personnel practices committee
• An ombudsman

AASTMT encourages early reporting to facilitate swift and constructive action before relationships become irreparably strained. While there is no specific reporting timeframe, early notification is the most effective way to address actual or perceived harassment.

Allegations of harassment will be investigated promptly. The investigation may involve individual interviews with those directly involved and, where appropriate, with witnesses or individuals possessing relevant information.

AASTMT will uphold confidentiality throughout the investigation to the extent necessary for a thorough inquiry and appropriate corrective measures.

Retaliation against anyone for reporting harassment or cooperating with an investigation is a serious violation of this policy and will result in disciplinary action.

8. Responsive Action

Responsive action may include, but is not limited to:

• For students: training and counseling, verbal or written warnings, temporary suspension, or expulsion.
• For staff members and employees: training, referral to counseling, or disciplinary measures such as warnings, reprimands, withholding of promotions or pay raises, reassignment, temporary suspension without pay, or termination.

9. Review Program