[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 183 (Thursday, September 20, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47634-47635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20505]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Notice of New NIH Policy Manual 1311--Preventing and Addressing 
Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct and New Policy Statement on 
Inappropriate Relationships in the Workplace

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces Policy 
Manual Chapter: 1311--Preventing and Addressing Harassment and 
Inappropriate Conduct and a new Policy Statement addressing Personal 
Relationships in the Workplace. These policies apply to federal 
employees, contractors, trainees, and fellows who perform work for the 
NIH. The NIH expects that organizations receiving NIH funds have in 
place similarly rigorous policies and related procedures for their 
employees, contractors, trainees, and fellows who engage in agency-
funded activities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information about these 
new policies, contact Jessica Hawkins, Office of Human Resources, 
National Institutes of Health, Building 31, Room 1/B37, Bethesda, 
Maryland 20892, telephone 301-402-8006 (not a toll-free number), 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Policy Manual 1311--Preventing and 
Addressing Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct states that the NIH 
will not tolerate inappropriate conduct or harassment, including sexual 
harassment. Timely and appropriate action will be taken against any 
individual found to be in violation of the policy outlined in the 
Manual Chapter. Through enforcement of this policy, the NIH seeks to 
prevent, correct, and eliminate unacceptable behavior that is 
inconsistent with the values and culture of respect and inclusion. 
Further, the policy is intended to increase the transparency and 
consistency in how allegations of harassment are reviewed and resolved. 
NIH leadership has designated the Office of Human Resources' Civil 
Program as the entity charged with receiving allegations of harassment 
and overseeing relevant administrative inquiries.
    The NIH Policy Statement on Personal Relationships in the Workplace 
states that personal relationships (including romantic and/or sexual) 
between individuals in inherently unequal positions, where one party 
has real or perceived authority over the other in their professional 
roles, may be inappropriate in the workplace and are strongly 
discouraged. If such a relationship exists or develops, it must be 
disclosed. Upon such notification, the responsible agency official must 
insure that the NIH Institute/Center manages, decreases, or eliminates 
potential risk as a result of the relationship.
    This applies to all individuals in the NIH community, including 
employees, contractors, students, trainees, and fellows and includes 
anyone who holds a position of authority or perceived

[[Page 47635]]

authority over another individual from a scientific or administrative 
perspective.

    Dated: September 17, 2018.
Francis S. Collins,
Director, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2018-20505 Filed 9-19-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4140-01-P