Harassment Policy 1.1.1 Statement of Commitment
• The Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada (FGCC) is committed to a harassment-free workplace and ministry environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 1.1.2 Definition of Harassment
• Harassment is any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards personnel or a ministry recipient that the person knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause that person to be humiliated or intimidated.
• Sexual harassment is any attempt to coerce an unwilling person into a sexual relationship, to punish a person for refusing, or to subject a person to unwanted sexual attention.
• Examples of harassment include: verbal aggression; insults based on race, religion, sexuality, disability, or physique; conduct or comments of a sexual nature that are unwelcome or offensive; vandalizing personal property; the spreading of malicious rumours. 1.1.3 Scope
• This policy statement applies to all ministry personnel, including permanent, temporary, casual, contract, interns and volunteers. It also applies to all recipients of ministry including children, youth, men/women, seniors and all ethnicities. This policy is applicable to all verbal or written communication including emails and social media platforms. 1.1.4 Reporting
• A person who believes that he or she has been subjected to harassment is encouraged to first clearly and firmly make known to the alleged harasser that the harassment is objectionable and must stop.
• Where this cannot be done, or is unsuccessful, the person should report the alleged harassment to the employer, or to one of the persons designated by the employer to receive complaints of harassment, namely: the Lead Pastor of the church, the National Office, or the Unit Supervisor.
• The employer or ministry overseer will investigate and deal with all complaints or incidents of workplace or ministry harassment in a fair and timely manner. Information about a complaint will not be disclosed except to the extent necessary to protect from further harm, to investigate the complaint, to take corrective action or as otherwise required by law.
• No person will be penalized for reporting an incident in good faith or participating in a workplace or ministry harassment investigation. 1.1.5 Other Options for Complaints
• Nothing in this policy prevents or discourages a person from referring a harassment to Occupational Health and Safety or their provincial Human Rights Commission. A person also retains the right to exercise any other legal avenues available. 1.1.6 Posting and Review
• A signed and dated copy of the Harassment Policy is to be posted in a conspicuous place in the workplace and be reviewed at least annually.
Online Safety Policy
• Online classes/groups must be hosted by the church's licensed and operated accounts only, no personal accounts maybe used.
• The church's licensed and operated accounts must be accessible to more than one member of your church's leadership (passwords, usernames and email credentials).
• To host any online classes/groups you must first secure permission in writing from the staff member overseeing that department.
• An informed Letter of Consent must be prepared and forwarded to the parent/guardian prior to the event. Parent/guardian must sign and submit the informed Letter of Consent, to allow a student to participate.
o The letter should provide parents with an opt-in option to allow their child(ren) to use a webcam while a session is being recorded.
o The letter should inform parents that the recording is not used in any way for publication but is kept securely as a record of the meeting.
• For the duration of any online classes/groups the leader/facilitator shall have the video platform in "moderator" mode to restrict the video and webcam sharing of attendees.
o If the "moderator" mode is unavailable on the video platform or your church deems it beneficial for attendees to use a webcam, only the students that have a signed Letter of Consent from their parent/guardian may be permitted to join.
• The screened and authorized adults will either remain on the video platform until all participants have left before closing the session or close the session to end the meeting for all participants.
• The leader/facilitator is encouraged to use videos, fun games and songs to share with the students to limit direct attendee communication.
• All persons (children, youth, parents, volunteers) will be educated on the expectations when using online platforms, both video and social media, to promote safe use.
• If staff members/volunteers are found to be contacting children/youth through personal accounts, he or she may be subject to disciplinary action.
• In the event that a conversation with a child or youth moves beyond the regular program activities, the staff member/volunteer must immediately inform church leadership and provide a copy of the conversation. Leadership will then take any necessary steps to follow protocols pertinent to the topic of conversation.
For Children Grades 1-6:
In order to create a safe online experience, the following is required:
1. Maintain at least TWO screened and authorized adults in the online forum/gathering at all times.
2. The church host will be recording the forum/gathering for security purposes.
3. Attendance will be taken at any online forum/gathering.
4. A parent/guardian must be present at the beginning and end of any class/group. This is the check in and check out process.
5. Parent/guardian should remain in the same room as their children when they are on the call and are asked not to leave their child alone on the computer in an isolated space.
6. Parent/guardian are requested to ensure that the class/group can be played on a computer/device with speakers rather than the student using headphones.
7. Every instance of a class/group requires a new check in/check out. Students will not have access to the class/group anytime outside of the preset times.
8. Upon completion of the class/group the attendance record and recording should be sent to the Pastor/Ministry Leader/Director of the department.
For Youth Grades 7-12:
In order to create a safe online experience, the following is required:
1. Maintain at least TWO screened and authorized adults in the online class/group at all times.
2. The church host will be recording the forum/gathering for security purposes.
3. Attendance will be taken at any online class/group.
4. Every instance of a class/group requires a new check in/check out. Students will not have access to the class/group anytime outside of the preset times.
5. Upon completion of the class/group the attendance record and recording should be sent to the Pastor/Ministry Leader/Director of the department.