Objective
I strive to create and maintain a safe and nurturing community in my classes and workshops so that participants can learn in a stimulating environment and be treated with dignity, decency and respect. The environment created is designed by way of mutual trust and absent of intimidation, oppression and exploitation. All teachers and students are expected to comply with this Policy.

Harassment
Harassment, including sexual harassment, of any kind is strictly prohibited, and appropriate and immediate action will be taken in response to complaints or knowledge of violations of this policy. For purposes of this policy, harassment is any verbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate or coerce any student, teacher, or any person working for or on behalf of LowerTheTone.com. Verbal taunting (including racial and ethnic slurs) that, in the student’s opinion, impairs his or her ability to perform or learn is included in the definition of harassment.

The following examples of harassment are intended to be guidelines and are not exclusive when determining whether there has been a violation of this policy:

* Verbal harassment includes comments that are offensive or unwelcome regarding a person’s nationality, origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, body, disability or appearance, including epithets, slurs and negative stereotyping.

* Nonverbal harassment includes distribution, display or discussion of any written or graphic material that ridicules, denigrates, insults, belittles or shows hostility, aversion or disrespect toward an individual or group because of national origin, race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, appearance, disability, sexual identity, marital or other protected status.

* Sexual Harrasment

Retaliation
No hardship, loss, benefit or penalty may be imposed on an student in response to raising a concern or complaint in relation to a breach of this policy.

Complaint Process
The following procedure is in place for lodging a complaint of harassment, discrimination or retaliation. All aspects of the procedure are treated confidentially to the extent reasonably possible.

An individual who feels harassed, discriminated or retaliated against may initiate the complaint process by filing a complaint in writing with Neil Curran; neil@lowerthetone.com. All complaints, or matters referred to Neil Curran, will be investigated within 15 working days.