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May 20, 2002 Page 355 Workplace harassment other than sexual, is verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability or political affiliation, which has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment or interferes with an individual's work performance or otherwise adversely affects an individual's employment opportunities. Unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment of an employee or client/consumer by another employee or outside party affects morale, motivation, and job performance. It is inappropriate, offensive, and illegal and shall be reported. Sexual harassment includes unwelcomed verbal behavior such as comments, suggestions, jokes or derogatory remarks based upon sex; physical behavior such as inappropriate or offensive touching; visual harassment such as posting of sexually suggestive or derogatory pictures, cartoons or drawings; or sexual advances. Harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to: ephithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, or threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts. Additionally, written or graphic material which denigrates or indicates hostility or aversion toward an individual or group is prohibited from display on the employer's premises or circulation in the workplace. Any employee who believes that they have experienced unlawful harassment or observed unlawful harassment in the workplace must report it immediately to his or her supervisor. If the employee is uncomfortable in discussing the matter with the supervisor, the employee shall report the incident within ten (10) days to the Human Resources Director or County Manager. Supervisors who receive or are made aware of a workplace or sexual harassment complaint shall immediately notify the Human Resources Director. Ail complaints will be investigated promptly, impartially and discreetly and, upon completion of the investigation, the appropriate parties will be notified of the findings. Any employee/manager who has been found to have harassed an employee will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including termination. No employee will suffer retaliation for reporting, assisting, testifying, or participating in an investigation or proceeding of an unlawful workplace harassment claim. The County Grievance Procedure (Article VIII of the Personnel Ordinance) is also available to employees to address workplace harassment. It is expected that County employees will act responsibly to maintain a professional working environment - free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation - allowing each employee to perform to his or her maximum potential. ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION Authorization for the County Attorney to Proceed with the Condemnation Process to Acquire Two Sight Easements on Old Airport Road Mr. Jonathan Marshall, Planning Services Director, discussed the two sight easements needed for the planned improvements to Old Airport Road at the Expo. He explained the easement is an area that the Department of Transportation requires the removal of trees and shrubs and maintenance of the area to prevent future growth that may impede sight lines on the roadway. Mr. J. K. Wilson, III, P.E., District Engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, explained that the sight easements were a condition of the driveway permit for the .service entrance to the Expo. Trees prohibit adequate sight distance for drivers to pull out safely from the driveway. UPON MOTION of Commissioner Fennel, seconded by Vice. Chairman Carruth and unanimously carried, the Board authorized the County Attorney to proceed with the condemnation process to acquire two sight easements on Old Airport Road as required by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for planned improvements on Old Airport Road. The sight easements are identified as follows: .038 acres of a larger property (PIN 5559-29-3296) belonging to Angela McDonald; and .045 acres of a larger property (PIN 5559-19-5238) belonging to Siroos and Parvin Amiri.