Sexual Harassment Policy Template for United States

A Sexual Harassment Policy outlines the rules and procedures that protect employees from unwanted behavior in Saudi workplaces, as required by the Kingdom's Anti-Harassment Law of 2018. It clearly defines what counts as harassment, from inappropriate comments to unwelcome physical contact, and explains how employees can report incidents safely.

The policy spells out the consequences for violations, guides managers in handling complaints, and creates a framework for investigations that align with Sharia principles and Saudi labor regulations. Companies use these policies to build respectful workplaces and shield themselves from legal liability while ensuring their practices meet the Ministry of Human Resources' standards.

Put your Sexual Harassment Policy into action immediately when onboarding new employees in Saudi Arabia, making it part of their essential first-day documentation. This timing ensures everyone understands the rules from day one and demonstrates your commitment to following the Kingdom's Anti-Harassment Law requirements.

Use the policy actively during management training sessions, when handling workplace complaints, and after any incident that raises harassment concerns. Regular policy reviews keep your business aligned with Ministry of Human Resources guidelines and help create a respectful workplace culture. Having clear procedures ready before issues arise protects both employees and the organization from legal complications.

• Basic Policy: Covers essential elements required by Saudi labor law - definitions, reporting procedures, and disciplinary actions. Perfect for small businesses and startups.
• Comprehensive Corporate Policy: Includes detailed investigation protocols, multiple reporting channels, and extensive training requirements. Suited for large organizations.
• Industry-Specific Policy: Adapts harassment guidelines for unique workplace settings like healthcare, construction, or hospitality sectors.
• Sharia-Compliant Policy: Emphasizes Islamic principles and cultural values while maintaining compliance with Kingdom regulations.
• Multilingual Policy: Provides harassment guidelines in Arabic and English, ensuring clear understanding for diverse workforces.

• Human Resources Directors: Lead the development and implementation of Sexual Harassment Policies, ensuring alignment with Saudi labor laws and Ministry guidelines.
• Legal Counsel: Review and validate policy content to ensure compliance with Anti-Harassment Law requirements and Sharia principles.
• Department Managers: Enforce policy guidelines, handle initial complaints, and maintain documentation of incidents.
• All Employees: Must understand, sign, and follow policy guidelines, including reporting procedures and expected workplace conduct.
• Compliance Officers: Monitor policy effectiveness, conduct training sessions, and update procedures based on Ministry directives.

• Review Current Laws: Study Saudi Arabia's Anti-Harassment Law and recent Ministry of Human Resources guidelines on workplace conduct.
• Gather Company Details: Document your organization's size, industry, and specific workplace risks or concerns.
• Define Reporting Chain: Map out clear reporting procedures and identify designated staff for handling complaints.
• Cultural Alignment: Ensure policy language respects Islamic values while maintaining professional standards.
• Document Format: Prepare both Arabic and English versions, following Ministry-approved terminology.
• Internal Review: Get input from HR, department heads, and employee representatives before finalizing.

• Definition Section: Clear explanations of harassment types aligned with Saudi Anti-Harassment Law definitions.
• Reporting Procedures: Detailed steps for filing complaints, including confidentiality guarantees and protection measures.
• Investigation Protocol: Timeline and process for handling reports, evidence collection, and witness protection.
• Disciplinary Actions: Specific consequences for violations, from warnings to termination, following Ministry guidelines.
• Training Requirements: Mandatory awareness sessions and documentation procedures.
• Religious Compliance: Statement affirming alignment with Sharia principles and Saudi cultural values.
• Language Requirements: Policy text in both Arabic and English, with Arabic version taking precedence.

A Sexual Harassment Policy differs significantly from a Bullying and Harassment Policy in several key aspects, though both aim to protect employees in Saudi workplaces. While sexual harassment policies specifically address unwanted sexual conduct as defined by the Kingdom's Anti-Harassment Law, bullying policies cover a broader range of inappropriate workplace behaviors.

• Legal Framework: Sexual harassment policies directly implement Saudi Arabia's 2018 Anti-Harassment Law requirements, while bullying policies draw from general labor regulations.
• Scope of Conduct: Sexual harassment policies focus exclusively on sexual misconduct, while bullying policies address intimidation, verbal abuse, and non-sexual hostile behavior.
• Investigation Procedures: Sexual harassment cases require specific confidentiality measures and gender-sensitive handling under Saudi law, whereas bullying investigations follow standard grievance procedures.
• Religious Considerations: Sexual harassment policies must explicitly align with Sharia principles regarding gender interaction, while bullying policies focus more on general workplace conduct.