3.8 Consensual Relationships - Faculty/Staff

Crescent School is committed to maintaining learning and work environments that are professional and as free as possible from conflicts of interest, exploitation, and favouritism.

Employees of the School who are engaged in a consensual relationship must not be in positions of authority or professionally responsible for or accountable to one another. Even in situations where there is no direct or indirect supervisory relationship between those involved, the School strongly discourages romantic, dating or sexual relationships between employees. If such a relationship currently exists or develops, it must be disclosed to the employees’ direct report(s).

Where disparities in authority are present between two individuals involved in a consensual relationship, because of the real or perceived power imbalance that may exist, questions about professional responsibility, mutuality of consent, and sexual harassment may arise. It is therefore the School’s policy that consensual relationships between faculty or staff members in positions of authority and their subordinates are inappropriate. Such relationships can create problems including conflicts of interest, abuse of authority, favouritism, and low morale, with the potential to adversely impact not only the employee involved in the relationship but other employees who may see themselves as disadvantaged by the relationship. Such situations may cast doubt on the objectivity and fairness of the workplace, damage workplace morale, and place the School in a legally vulnerable position.

Sanctions for inappropriate consensual relationships may include, but are not limited to, the following:

In some cases, depending on the circumstances, discipline up to and including termination may also be warranted.