DUPONT
Message from Mike
Defining R-E-S-P-E-C-T
From oldies lyrics to personal values, respect is a term that is open for interpretation.
At DuPont's Spruance site, the term "a respectful work environment" translates to a place of employment where dignity coincides
with diversity, and people do not feel intimidated, threatened, harassed, or discriminated against.
To clarify the issues, Mike Mayberry, Plant Manager, answered questions that have been received
about Spruance's policies.
Q: Policy guidelines are not clear, even though I've been to AMOR and
other diversity training. How do I know what to say?
Our goal is to provide a safe, respectful work environment. One of the ways safety is measured
is by the number of injuries to people either on or off the plant site. One of the ways respect is measured is by the
number of complaints received concerning inappropriate behavior towards employees. Workshops like "A
Matter of Respect" (AMOR) can provide specific examples of offensive and disrespectful behavior.
The purpose of these workshops is to train employees to recognize and respond to these types of situations.
It is impossible to anticipate every circumstance. I recommend that all employees use their
best judgment and common sense, and realize that each of us is responsible for creating a respectful work environment.
If you are in a situation where another person (an employee, a contractor, or a vendor) acts
in a manner that is discourteous, offensive, or harrassing, your first response should be to remain calm. Explain to
the person why his or her behavior is offensive to you, and ask him or her not to repeat the behavior. If problems persist
after you speak out, you should report the incident to line management, human resources personnel, and/or the company hotline,
which are all confidential resources.
Q: What is zero tolerance?
The term is typically used to describe a corporate expectation of performance. At Spruance,
our goal is to have zero incidents in the safety, health, and environmental arena; it is also to have zero occurrences of
disrespectful behavior. DuPont Spruance will not tolerate harassment of any type, whether it is verbal, physical, written,
or visual.
Q: What are examples of behavior that are inappropriate on the Spruance
site?
Some examples include, but are not limited to:
- Language that is biased against race, gender, religion, or background.
- Actions that have the intention of intimidating or demeaning others.
- Visual symbols or logos that may be offensive to others, even on your personal property, such
as a swastika, a decal of the Confederate flag,
or pornographic materials.
- Gestures that can be considered profane, abusive, or provocative.
- Pranks of any kind.
- Sexual harassment of any type, including unwanted advances and inappropriate physical contact.
- Explicit or suggestive literature, calls, language, or actions.
- Inappropriate use of the Internet; for example, accessing pornographic
sites.
Q: What about my first amendment rights to free speech?
DuPont Spruance recognizes each individual's right to have his or her own beliefs. However,
as an employer, our goal is to eliminate any distractions and disruptions that can be created by certain workplace behaviors.
While on company property, we expect all employees to comply with our policies regarding a respectful work environment.
Failure to do so may result in developmental actions, up to and including discharge.
Private employers often have dress codes or a code of ethics, and following the rules of the
employer is a condition of employment. Such policies protect the freedoms of all individuals. At DuPont Spruance,
our interests are to improve work relationships and behaviors rather than to change people's values and beliefs.
Q: How do I tell the difference between a joke and harassment?
You are the only person who can determine what is offensive to you. If you feel uncomfortable,
you are encouraged to speak out and tell the person that you want the behavior to stop because you are offended by it.
You may want to discuss the situation with your line manager, human resources manager, or to talk confidentially with a counselor
via the telephone hotline at Ducom (same as 8 on plant) 774-8336 or (302) 774-8336.
Q: What will happen to me if I have a bumper sticker on my
car that is deemed offensive or inappropriate?
You will be asked to relocate your vehicle to an off site location or remove or cover the sticker
while the automobile is on DuPont Spruance property.
Q: I didn't know I had offended a co-worker and now I've been accused
of harassment. What do I do?
Discuss the matter with human resources personnel, who can appropriately evaluate your actions
and those of the other party, clarify what occurred, the context, and how your actions were perceived.
Q: What does a respectful work environment really mean?
In general, the term refers to working relationships that do not involve discrimination, harassment,
or offensive behavior. As an employee at DuPont Spruance, each person is responsible for his or her own actions and
behaviors.
Q: Who sets the standards for our site?
Our standards are set by the Site Staff, which includes myself, the business unit managers for
Kevlar, Nomex, Teflon, and Tyvek. Also, the Site Human Resources Manager, the Safety and Health Manager, the Site Support
Manager, and Technical Managers from Nonwovens and Advanced Fiber Systems are part of Site Staff.
"At DuPont Spruance, our interests are to improve work relationships and behaviors rather
than to change people's values and beliefs."
As our work force has become more diverse, it is imperative to the success of our businesses
to reinforce our expectations that all employees are treated with dignity and respect. One of the challenges that
a diverse work force faces in learning to work together is to recognize and eliminate those symbols that are offensive
and therefore are a distraction in our workplace. DuPont Spruance's management team wants to make
it clear to everyone that the symbol of the Confederate flag is not appropriate in our workplace.
This clarification of our site policies is being communicated to all employees so that you will
know and understand what types of behavior are considered to be inappropriate.
Valuing each employee for his or her abilities and contributions is a responsible way to do business
- and at DuPont's Spruance site, it's A Matter of Respect.
Message from Mike is a publication of DuPont Spruance, P.O. Box 27001, Richmond, VA
23261. For more information, contact (804) 383-2831.
