NCCN Non-Discrimination/Harassment Policy – Affiliated Persons and Volunteers

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) is committed to providing workplaces and events that are free from discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, disability, medical condition, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, citizenship status, physical characteristics, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation. NCCN has a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination or harassment of any kind and maintains a strict policy against such conduct. NCCN requires individuals participating on NCCN Guidelines Panels, committees, seminars, or other NCCN-affiliated activities and events to adhere to this policy.

This policy applies to any NCCN-affiliated individual, including those serving on any NCCN panel, committee, board, speaker forum or other group that is participating in any NCCN event. The policy applies to any in-person and/or virtual event hosted or sponsored by NCCN, as well as any written, verbal, or web-based communication (inclusive of social media and other public platforms) related to NCCN events or activities. The policy applies to all individuals participating in these events, including employees, NCCN-affiliated individuals, vendors, sponsors, contractors, volunteers, faculty, and guests. The policy also applies to any individual(s) representing NCCN who participates in any event whether or not sponsored by NCCN. NCCN recognizes that NCCN-affiliated individuals also may be subject to similar policies and procedures of their employer or other organization(s).

NCCN encourages reporting of all incidents of discrimination or harassment in a timely fashion. Reports should be made to an NCCN Senior Leader or Human Resources personnel (report@nccn.org). NCCN prohibits retaliation against any individual who reports harassment or participates in the investigation of such a report.

Any individual who believes that they have been a victim of discrimination or harassment during NCCN-affiliated events or business should report their concern to a representative(s) of the NCCN Senior Leadership or NCCN Human Resources.

NCCN expects Member Institutions will remove from NCCN-related activities, any individual who has been found by that Member Institution to have engaged in discrimination or harassment; or has had suspension or termination of privileges or medical license; or has had imposition of any administrative action related to discrimination or harassment (defined as “cause” in this policy). Disclosure by the Member Institution of the details related to cause for removal to NCCN is not required. NCCN acknowledges that the Member Institution may initiate an investigation or inquiry without involvement of NCCN. As NCCN has an obligation to maintain a safe, discrimination- and harassment-free work environment for its employees, NCCN will, as necessary, unilaterally bar individuals from NCCN activities. NCCN will work with the Member Institution to determine whether the NCCN-affiliated individual should be temporarily or permanently removed from their NCCN-affiliation or whether support for NCCN-affiliated work should be withdrawn. This may include, but is not limited to, withdrawal of grant funding, rescinding of invitations to participate in NCCN-sponsored events, or removal from panels, committees, forums, or working groups.

Information contained in a report is kept confidential to the degree legally required, and information is revealed on a need-to-know basis only, including potential need to inform appropriate professional licensing agencies. NCCN will not retaliate, nor will it tolerate retaliation, against anyone making a good faith report of harassment or discrimination under this policy.

Upon receipt of a report of discrimination or harassment, NCCN will investigate promptly and report the complaint to the Member Institution if appropriate. NCCN will maintain confidentiality throughout the investigatory process to the extent required for adequate investigation and appropriate corrective action if it is determined that a violation of this policy has occurred. NCCN expects individuals participating on NCCN Guidelines Panels, committees, seminars, or other NCCN-affiliated activities and events to cooperate with any investigation that NCCN conducts.

Retaliation against an individual reporting discrimination or harassment, or against someone participating in an investigation of a claim of discrimination or harassment, should be reported promptly.

In the event of a complaint, NCCN will investigate the nature of the conduct, the context in which the alleged conduct occurred, and may interview reporter, subject(s) of report, and other parties as appropriate to investigate any report of discrimination or harassment. Review of any recorded meetings or written documents or communication may also be undertaken. NCCN reserves the right to tailor the investigation as appropriate to the circumstances being evaluated in the investigation.

A report of adjudicated or confirmed history of prior or current discrimination or harassment may, at NCCN’s sole discretion, result in disqualification and removal from any NCCN panel, committee, board or other group or prohibition of participation in any NCCN event or activity. NCCN reserves the right to take appropriate action with respect to the investigation of matters related to this Policy. NCCN reserves the right to notify required Member Institution personnel of the results and outcome of the investigation as the reason for NCCN action.