Fallin cracks down on sexual harassment, discrimination in state government

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin on Friday issued an executive order directing state officials and state agency directors to build an environment free from sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination.

“Sexual harassment is wrong and cannot be tolerated,” Fallin said. “We have seen a growing number of sexual harassment incidents reported in Oklahoma and across the nation. Our state employees, like all Oklahomans, have a right to work in an environment free from any form of sexual harassment and other forms of harassment and unlawful discrimination”

Executive Order 2017-41 directs all state officials and agency directors to be proactive in training their employees about inappropriate behavior and prohibiting employees from engaging in such behavior.

All state officials and state agency directors are directed also to clearly notify their employees of the agency’s policy in the area of sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination, according to the order. They are also directed to notify their employees of the procedure for filing and processing a complaint of sexual harassment and unlawful discrimination with the attorney general’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Attorney General Mike Hunter encouraged state agency directors and all public officials to utilize the training already offered by the Office of Civil Rights Enforcement.

“Employees in both the public and private sector should feel protected in the workplace,” Hunter said. “I encourage both state agencies and private sector businesses to reach out to our office to inquire about sexual harassment training.”