Safety Plan

Statement of Commitment to Provide a Safe Environment

The International Eosinophil Society, Inc. (IES) is committed to providing attendees of the Biennial Congress an environment free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. As a professional society, the IES is committed to providing an atmosphere that encourages the free expression and exchange of scientific ideas. IES is dedicated to the philosophy of equality of opportunity and treatment for all members, regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, age, familial status, sexual orientation, lactation accommodation, pregnancy, disabilities, veteran status, financial situation, employment status or any other reason not related to scientific merit.

Expectations of Behavior

Discrimination and harassment are forms of misconduct that undermine the integrity of the IES Biennial Congress. Examples of this misconduct include, but are not limited to the following: epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; disparaging jokes and display or circulation of written or graphic material that belittles or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group; unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature; sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; verbal comments or physical actions of a sexual nature; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; a display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; sexually explicit jokes; unnecessary touching.

Meeting attendees who engage in harassment or discrimination of any kind are subject to discipline. In addition, retaliation against reporting of conduct concerns or those resistant to assisting in conflict resolutions will be subject to discipline.

Instructions on How to Confidentially Report Violators

IES strongly encourages those who have experienced, witnessed, or become aware of conduct that violates the Expectations of Behavior to come forward so that an assessment of the incident(s) can occur. Violations may be reported in any of the following ways:           

• By email to info@eosinophil-society.org
• By phone (on-site staff contact mobile number provided on-site)
• In person to IES Staff at the Registration Desk

Attendees with harassment-related questions, concerns, or complaints are encouraged to contact the Biennial Congress organizers using the resources above, and/or the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR). To file a civil rights complaint with HHS OCR, visit their website for more information and instructions: https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html. Filing a complaint with IES is not required before filing a complaint with HHS OCR, nor does it prohibit filing a complaint with HHS OCR.

For more information on how individuals can notify NIH about harassment concerns, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences, please see the agency’s website: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment/find-help.htm.