Facebook has outlined its investigation processes as a result of harassment or bullying allegations internally, including derogatory or offensive jokes, pranks or comments, slurs or epithets, unsolicited sexual advances or invitations and sharing images that are derogatory.
While Facebook’s policies also prohibit intimidating, offensive and sexual conduct even when that conduct might not meet the legal standard of harassment. Its zero-tolerance policy towards harassment, means that when able to determine that harassment has occurred, those responsible will be penalized.
Albeit, no major harassment allegations have come out of Facebook itself, the company's move is intended to share with the community at large the policies in place.
The policy also makes clear that excuses like, “I was joking” or “I didn’t mean it that way” are not legitimate defenses to any allegation; neither excuses of being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
If Facebook determines that an employee’s conduct has violated this Policy, steps will be taken to ensure the conduct is effectively addressed, and the employee found to have engaged in harassing conduct may be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.
Additional policies, also center around six principles, which entail developing standards for respectful behavior at work, mandatory harassment training for managers and interns; treating all claims with urgency and respect.
