Harassment is any verbal, written or physical act, gesture, or object that is directed or used in such a manner as to affect or impede an employee’s professional performance, or to create a hostile or offensive work environment. Harassment singles out an employee because of the employee’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, medical condition, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, age, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, past or present military status or protected veteran status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.