Hedonisia Hawaii Sustainable Community Rainforest Retreat
Hedonisia Dating & Sexual Harrassment Policies
The Legal Definition of Sexual Harrassment in the USA:
"Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when
- submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment,
- submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individuals, or
- such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. (29 C.F.R. ยง 1604.11 [1980]) "
Dating in the Age of Sexual Harrassment:
We are a small, social and friendly eco-hostel but we are also a sustainable community of independent individuals and we respect everyone's right to space and privacy. At Hedonisia people meet and date. However, we do NOT tolerate sexual harrassment!
In America, the interpretation of sexual harrassment laws has served to severely constrain individuals from socializing in the workplace. People are often so concerned about sexual harrassment charges that they rarely date or flirt with their colleagues at work. Even some feminists agree that enforcement of sexual harrassment laws have become too draconian taking much of the joy of social interaction out of the American workplace. As the comedian Chris Rock once said, "In America Sexual Harrassment is when you are ugly! If you are good looking, it's called flirting!"
In Europe, sexual harrassment tends to be more strictly defined as unwelcome sexual behavior by a supervisor toward an employee; it is interpreted and enforced as an issue involving the abuse of power for sexual gain. As a result, laws related to sexual harrassment in Europe tend to treat women as true equals; they do not overcompensate by treating women as sacred vessels or perpetual victims who should not be touched or approached.
In addition, women in Europe are strong, intelligent and equal and yet still like men! Women in Europe also tend to be much clearer about whether it is "just friends" or whether they are interested in something more. They will often be the one who initiates a flirt. And dating DOES happen at the workplace!
Due to the nature of our community and the work that we do at Hedonisia, we try to strike a balance between the European and American approach to Sexual Harrassment. Everyone here at Hedonisia should feel safe and comfortable to enjoy themselves. This is especially true for single female travelers and volunteers. We provide the space and a beautiful tropical setting for love to blossom. But we don't force it. As a result, many wonderful romances have started here. We are "Hedonisia" and people meet and mate here quite often!
For the protection of all Guests, Volunteers, Managers and the Owner we have designed a set of transparent practical guidelines to allow for people to have fun but to feel safe and legally protected.
- Volunteers & Guests: If you meet someone "on property" then by all means enjoy yourself! You are adults! However, unlike other hostels, we also allow Guests or Volunteers to invite a friend or lover from "off property" to sleep in their space. Overnight visitors are charged at the Volunteer Discount Rate of $20 per night as long as they sleep in the same space as their host. We would appreciate prior notice . . . if possible! If you and your lover become closer and decide to live together then they may interview to be a Fair-Trade Volunteer or continue to pay the discount rate of $20 per night to sleep in the same bedspace.
- Volunteer Web Work: Any Hedonisia Volunteer who is working on Ecosensual Natural Birth Control, Natural Miscarriage, Sustainable Sexuality or World Art Erotica is dealing with abortion, birth control or sensual erotic material. Only volunteers who feel comfortable working with adult material should apply to work on these web projects. They will be working in a private office to ensure that children and other more conservative guests are not offended. Any female working on these websites should always be clear and communicate what levels of work she is comfortable with.
- Manager/Assistant Managers and Senior Manager: Hedonisia Managers also date! Whether they are Gay, Straight or Bisexual, as persons in a position of authority, they too must abide by all sexual harrassment rules. Overnight Guests of Managers are charged at a discount rate of $8 per night. If the relationship becomes deeper and they wish to stay longer they may also interview to be a Volunteer.
- Owner/Founder (Mojo): Personal Disclosure: "In the interests of transparency, I will disclose that I have also dated Hedonisians! In fact, my girlfriend Linda came here as a Volunteer but we fell in love and now she is my partner!
As the property owner, I am very aware of my position of authority but I abide by all sexual harrassment rules like everyone else.
As a British born Indian from Trinidad, I am fond of politically incorrect jokes! However, in both my actions and words, I am completely responsive to any complaint.
Both my partner and I would only make naughty jokes or flirt if we felt it was appropriate or welcome and would cease if we sense or are told otherwise.
One of the easiest ways to avoid sexual harrassment is clear communication. If anyone at Hedonisia steps over your personal boundaries tell them! If they persist, notify a Hedonisia Manager, Linda or the owner Mojo immediately.
On the other hand, one of the biggest confusions in the issue of Sexual Harrassment is that men (and lesbian women!) often don't know whether a woman likes them or not. If you are a woman and you actually do like someone be sure to tell them!
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