Anti-Harassment Policy

The Division of Organic Chemistry (DOC) has developed this anti-harassment policy as an integral part of our mission to promote the advancement of the field of organic chemistry. The DOC is committed to fostering an environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect.

The DOC will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind at its events, and will seek to prevent, correct and address any cases of discrimination or harassment, in accordance with the ACS Volunteer/National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy.

While the ACS Volunteer/National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy applies to all those attending Organic Division (ORGN) events at ACS National meetings, this anti-harassment policy applies to all DOC volunteers, as well as attendees at all DOC events, including but not limited to: the National Organic Symposium (NOS), the Graduate Research Symposium (GRS), and the Empowering Women in Organic Chemistry (EWOC) Conference.

We also commit to the following actions recommended by the ACS Guidance on Holding a Harassment-Free Meeting:

  • Continue to publish the requirement for all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, and guests at DOC events to abide by the ACS Volunteer/National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy, along with the DOC Statement on Harassment-Free Meetings in a prominent location on the website and in the printed program for each event.
  • As part of the registration process for all DOC-sponsored events, require that registrants agree to abide by the ACS Volunteer/National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy and to acknowledge the DOC Statement on Harassment-Free Meetings.
  • Require the moderator at the start of sessions to refer to the DOC Statement on Harassment-Free Meetings (with a slide showing the full statement), and announce that the DOC is serious about holding meetings free of harassment.
  • Post the DOC Statement on Harassment-Free Meetings in prominent locations, including in rooms where talks and poster sessions are held, and in heavily trafficked areas throughout the event.
  • Designate a contact person at the event to listen to any concerns, gather facts (with consideration of the legal rights of all those involved) and follow up with ACS Legal within 5 business days.
  • Take appropriate remedial action to ensure harassing behavior is not repeated and that victims of harassment can feel safe and welcome at this and future DOC events, up to a ban from future DOC/ACS meetings.

Any DOC volunteer who witnesses an act of harassment is responsible to report it to the designated contact person and to follow up within 5 business days.

DOC volunteers accused of violating this anti-harassment policy may be asked to step down from their volunteer role(s), pending the results of an investigation by ACS. If the investigation finds that the volunteer has committed harassment, they will be subject to discipline up to and including removal from their volunteer position(s)

DOC Statement on Harassment-Free Meetings

The Division of Organic Chemistry (DOC) seeks to foster a positive and safe environment for meeting attendees free from sexual or other forms of harassment, and characterized by courtesy and respect.

Harassment is any unwelcome conduct that is based on, or due to, an individual’s protected characteristics, including race, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, etc. ACS considers sexual harassment to include, but not be limited to, any unwelcome sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; verbal comments or physical actions of a sexual nature; sexually degrading words; sexually explicit jokes; and offensive, unwanted physical contact; physical or verbal abuse, intimidation, threats, efforts to annoy others, harassment, stalking, pushing, shoving or use of any physical force whatsoever against any person.

The DOC takes harassment in all its forms seriously and will vigorously enforce the ACS Volunteer/National Meeting Attendee Conduct Policy against any actor taking inappropriate actions against others based on any protected characteristic.

Reporting Harassment

If you feel that you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or on-site security at once.

If you have been subjected to or witnessed harassment, you are encouraged to report the incident to the designated meeting contact person whose name and email address are listed on the specific program pages (e.g. NOS or GRS). Alternatively, if you are unsure of how to report, you may contact any DOC officer (contact info is available on the Executive Committee page for DOC members who are logged in), use the DOC’s Contact US form, contact ACS Secretary and General Counsel, or use the ACS Anonymous Hotline: toll free at 855-710-0009 (English) or 800-216-1288 (Spanish).

All complaints will be treated confidentially, seriously, and acted upon promptly.