2. Employment Policies

2.1. Statement of Equal Opportunity

This institution (Triad River Tours) is an equal opportunity provider. We are committed to providing a work environment that is both accepting and in compliance with all applicable laws regarding employment discrimination. Triad’s policy is not to discriminate by reason of race, color, religion, disability, sex/gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, national origin, age, or veteran status. In addition, we promise to comply with all applicable laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on any other factor.

Triad River Tours will make a reasonable accommodation for all individuals with a disability, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship for our company. We want the most cohesive workplace possible and are prepared to make compromises for those with disabilities in order to keep our company as diverse in personnel as we are in innovation.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250- 9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

2. 2 Hiring Practices and Philosophy Regarding Diversity

Triad River Tours fully accepts its responsibilities to the laws regarding equal opportunity when it comes to our hiring practices. We insist that all individuals be treated with respect and dignity. We specifically aim to increase diversity in our workplace through encouraging minorities and protected groups. We absolutely encourage people of these protected groups to apply with our company.

2. 3 Discrimination and Harassment

Triad River Tours disapproves of and strictly prohibits comments or actions by anyone that may create an offensive or hostile work environment for any employee because of the employee’s race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, disability, ancestry, or medical condition. This policy extends not only to prohibiting unwelcome sexual advances, offensive sexual jokes, innuendos, or behaviors; but also prohibits offensive conduct related to or based upon factors other than sex.

Triad River Tours has an already difficult and often stressful work environment, which causes incredible strain for many of its employees. Our jobs require that we work in high strenuous situations in close proximity to each other. Conduct that is considered harassment is clearly dictated in Title 7 and can be found at the following

URL: http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/index.cfm.

If you do not have access to a computer or need additional assistance with these laws or feel that you may have been harassed or otherwise mistreated while working for our company, we will be happy to provide you with a paper copy of the equal opportunity laws which apply to your situation. We absolutely want you to come forward with any complaints you may have so that we can deal with them appropriately and swiftly.

Triad River Tours takes allegations of harassment very seriously. Triad River Tours expressly forbids any kind of harassment or discrimination on the job by its direct employees, contractors, managers, customers, and anyone who we do business with. We will not allow illegal harassment to take place at our company. If you at any time feel that you may have been harassed or discriminated against, immediately call (360) 510-1243 to speak with Luke E. Baugh, who is in charge of informal EEO complaints.

Employees who believe they are victims of harassment or who are aware of harassment should immediately report the situation to a supervisor, the director of human resources, a designated human resources representative, any manager, or corporate officer. An employee who thinks he or she is a victim of harassment may discuss the offensive conduct with the offender(s) before reporting it to management but is not required to do so.

Triad River Tours will promptly investigate complaints or reports of harassment. The investigation will be conducted and complaints will be handled in a confidential manner to the extent realistically feasible. When warranted by the investigation, Triad River Tours will take immediate and appropriate corrective action. This includes disciplinary action against the offender(s), which may range up to and include dismissal, depending on the severity of the conduct as assessed by Triad River Tours.

No retaliation will be permitted against an employee who registers a complaint or reports a harassment incident, against any employee who provides testimony as a witness or who otherwise provides assistance to any complaining or reporting employee, or who provides assistance to Triad River Tours in connection with the investigation of any complaint or report.

After Triad River Tours has taken appropriate corrective action to resolve a complaint or report of harassment, Triad River Tours will make follow-up inquiries after an appropriate interval to ensure that the harassment has not resumed and retaliation has not been suffered. However, victims and witnesses are not required to wait for follow-up. If harassment resumes or retaliation occurs, the victim or witness is encouraged to contact an appropriate Triad River Tours supervisor, human resources representative, officer, or other company manager immediately so Triad River Tours may promptly and effectively act against such harassment.

Prohibited Sexual Harassment includes but are not limited to the following:

Written contact such as sexually obscene letters, notes, or invitations.
Unwelcome contact in any way that offends the recipient. Examples are: pinching, brushing against another’s body, grabbing, or flirting.
Verbal contact such as sexually suggestive or obscene comments, threats, slurs, or anything which relates to a gender, sexual orientation, sexual position, or any sexual trait.
Visual contact such as staring at another’s body, gesturing, displays of sexually suggestive objects or positions, sexually suggestive movements such as touching yourself or kissing people when they do not want to be kissed, or hugging people that do not want to be hugged

2.4 Immigration Law Compliance

Triad River Tours is required by federal immigration laws to verify the identity and work authorization of all new employees. In keeping with the obligation, documentation that shows each person's identity and legal authority to work must be inspected. Each new employee must also attest to his/her identity and legal authority to work on an I-9 Form provided by the federal government. This verification must be completed as soon as possible after an offer of employment is made and in no event more than three (3) business days after an individual is hired and before the individual begins work. A copy of this form will be provided to you for your completion. All offers of employment with Triad River Tours are conditioned upon furnishing evidence of identity and legal authority to work in the United States in compliance with the federal law. Providing falsified documents of identity and eligibility to work in the United States will result in cancellation of your consideration for employment or dismissal if employed. Every rehired employee must also satisfy this requirement. It is the employee's responsibility to ensure that the work authorization on file is current. The Department of Homeland Security recommendation is to apply for renewed authorization a minimum of ninety (90) days in advance of expiration. Inability to provide renewed authorization on or prior to the expiration date of the original document will result in the employee's immediate termination.

2.5 Drug-Free Workplace

Triad River Tours is committed to providing a healthy and safe workplace, where our productivity and effectiveness are believed to be hinged on the personal health and happiness of every person involved. As a result, it is recognized that substance abuse has a potentially deadly, or at least negative, effect on our trips. You must never talk about drugs and alcohol with your guests, as it is very easy to get the wrong idea from you.

If you come to realize that you have a substance abuse problem, we are here to help. There are many organizations which offer free or by sliding scale treatment to ensure that you are properly cared for. If you feel that you may have an addiction, no one at our company is going to judge you. It is vital, however, that the situation be dealt with.

Failure to accept the consequences of addiction in this industry can destroy lives, quite literally. It is not okay for you to work and be paid as an employee if you are struggling with any kind of addiction. We must first address your personal life, and then we can put you in a position to be successful as an employee. Please recognize the very large and critical issue that substance abuse can become in our line of work. Please do not take this risk. Do not ever work under the influence of any substance at all.

The costs of alcohol and drug abuse are staggering and are manifested by accidents, tardiness, absenteeism, property damage, increased occupational injury costs, increased health insurance costs, decreased productivity, the cost of replacing and retraining new employees, and employee theft. In an effort to minimize the effects of alcohol and drugs in the workplace, Triad River Tours has adopted the following policy.

The following are prohibited:
1. Purchase, use, possession, distribution or being under the influence of alcohol on Triad River Tours or client property, during working hours or at any time while on Triad River Tours business.
2. Purchase, sale, possession, use, manufacture, distribution or being under the influence of any illegal drug at any time during your employment by Triad River Tours.
3. Use or being under the influence of any prescription or non- prescription (over the counter) drug that may adversely affect your performance of the essential functions of your job or increase the risk of injury, death or property loss of you or others.
4. Purchase, sale, use, distribution or possession, during working hours or while on company business, of any drug paraphernalia, including, but not limited to any tools, equipment, supplies or materials used, designed or intended for the illegal or improper use of any drug.
5. Reporting to or being at work with a measurable quantity of any alcohol, drug, intoxicant or narcotic in the blood or urine (except for any prescribed or over-the-counter drug of the type and at a level determined in the sole opinion of Triad River Tours or its designee as neither interfering with performance of essential job functions nor increasing the risk of injury, death or property loss of you or others).

2.6 Chewing & Smoking

We at Triad River Tours recognize that smoking and chewing tobacco is offensive to some of our guests and does not always represent our core values of a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Thus, it is important that while you are working you do not smoke or chew in view of any of our guests. Smoking is only permitted in those places and at those times designated by Triad River Tours. Do not smoke near any area where flammable or combustible materials, such as solvents, are used or stored. Do not smoke near the doorways to vehicles as the smoke can travel inside and make it smell. Do not smoke near rafts or smoke while you are rigging your boat. If you need to smoke, you need to excuse yourself from the operation completely or just quit smoking altogether. Other rules regarding smoking may apply depending on your work location. If you have any questions, ask your supervisor.

2.7 Confidentiality of Information

Confidential information of Triad River Tours, of any nature and in any form, including but not limited to all data or information that is competitively sensitive or is not generally known or available to the public, client lists and files, and personnel records and data, shall be kept confidential and private and shall not be removed from Triad River Tours premises without prior written authorization of Triad River Tours. Such confidential information shall only be used for the benefit of Triad River Tours and its interests.

2.8 Employee Investigations

Triad River Tours recognizes the importance of employees who are honest, trustworthy, qualified, and reliable. For purposes of furthering these concerns and interests; before hiring an individual, Triad River Tours reserves the right to investigate the individual's prior employment history, personal and/or business references, educational background, and or other relevant information that is reasonably available.

Triad River Tours may find it necessary from time-to-time to investigate current employees, where behavior or other relevant circumstances raise legitimate questions concerning work performance, reliability, honesty, trustworthiness, or potential threat to the safety of co-employees or others. Where appropriate, these investigations may include credit reports and criminal records, including appropriate inquiries about any criminal investigation or arrest that is pending further proceedings. Employees subject to such investigations are required to reasonably cooperate with Triad River Tours to obtain relevant information, and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, for failure to do so.

All employees are strongly encouraged to immediately report any incidents of potentially threatening, harmful, or criminal behavior of co-employees, supervisors, customers, clients, vendors, or visitors.

2.9 Workplace Violence

The following are prohibited and will not be tolerated of any employee on Triad River Tours premises or while on Triad River Tours business:

Any direct or indirect harassing, intimidating, abusive or threatening language, actions or behavior.
Any direct or indirect plan, threat or act of violence, injury, death or property damage (including, but not limited to fistfights, wrestling or other forms of physical fighting with or without weapons).
Possession, use or display of a weapon on company premises or while on company time.

Any employee violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

2.10 Safety Policy

Triad River Tours wants every employee to enjoy a safe workplace and to understand that river guiding is very dangerous. Therefore, it is incredibly important to use caution and care with your safety, the safety of your other guides, and caring for guests. Employees must comply with all safety rules and policies. Putting others at risk will get you fired.

In accordance with applicable law, Triad River Tours has established a safety committee to constitute and have such duties as defined by applicable state law. Employee members of the safety committee will be paid for their time while attending committee meetings or while otherwise engaged in committee duties. Employees must comply with the injury prevention program adopted by the safety committee.

Please observe Triad River Tours safety rules in every phase of your work.

The following guidelines have been established as a part of Triad River Tours’ safety policy:

Simple is smooth and smooth is fast.
Work one step at a time, one day at a time.
After a task is done; pause, reflect, give/receive feedback.
The safe way is the right way to do each job. Shortcuts are not the way.
Know your job procedures. If in doubt, ask your supervisor.
Operate equipment only as authorized and with all safety guards in place.
Report unsafe acts to your supervisor immediately.
Report unsafe conditions immediately to your supervisor.
Report unsafe equipment to your supervisor immediately. Do not attempt repairs no matter how skilled you feel you are.
Report any incident right away (even if no injury) to your supervisor.
At the scene of an incident, be helpful, courteous, and avoid argument or discussion of the situation. Get your supervisor immediately (documenting conditions helps us help you).
Get medical aid even for small injuries. Delay can make it worse.
Arrive at work rested, clean, and in good health. Be able to give full attention to your job.
Report infections to your supervisor (which can be evidenced by conditions such as: skin eruption, boil, sore throat, vomiting, fever, etc.).
If you feel ill at work, report to your supervisor.
Follow guidelines for health in the prevention of communicable diseases. These guidelines are for your health and safety and those with whom you work.
Warning signs help you prevent incidents. Obey them! Remind others, too.
If using chemicals, read labels carefully to follow safety warnings.
Violent acts in the workplace, including threats and intimidation are NOT allowed. This includes all threats, verbal or physical. Any such occurrences should be immediately reported to management.

2.11 Reporting Injuries

To ensure that proper attention is given and appropriate action taken when an injury occurs within the workplace, please follow these procedures:

Report the injury to your supervisor immediately. If your supervisor is not immediately available, report to the manager or other authorized person. Seek or obtain medical attention if required.
Report the injury to your Triad River Tours supervisor and/or designated human resources representative within 24 hours or as soon as practical. Worker’s Compensation laws require the processing of claims within reasonable time frames. All injuries/accidents MUST be reported promptly for claim submission.
If you are involved in or are a witness to an incident, you should provide information in order for the appropriate report to be completed. Please be aware of the importance of immediate action in recording all details of the incident.