Product Return Policy

Items purchased at Newark Natural Foods Co-op may be returned with the ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF PURCHASE;

However, the following items may NOT be returned:

• Perishable Items
• Bulk Grocery Items
• Opened/Used Products
• Books - Unless there are significant printing or binding errors
• Clearance Items

There is a 7-day waiting period on returns of items purchased by check.

We have the right to refuse to accept the return of certain products. We appreciate your understanding regarding our return policy.

Sexual and Unlawful Harassment Policy

We are committed to providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere for everyone to work and shop in. This includes a strong policy prohibiting any harassment, including sexual harassment. Harassment is illegal and will not be tolerated.

Harassment is unwelcome invitations, innuendoes, jokes or comments made in the workplace by one employee to another. It can include teasing, remarks, letters, phone calls, visual material, suggestive or offensive touching, facial expressions, obscene gestures, pressure for sexual favors, rape, assault or retaliation for reporting such incidents to management.

Harassment includes behavior based upon an employee's gender, race, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, religion, disability, or status in another protected group.

Possible harassment of staff is not limited to co-workers. Members, customers, outside venders, and others may also engage in unacceptable actions that constitute harassment of staff members.

If you feel you have been harassed by a co-worker, customer, or outside vendor, report immediately to the general manager, with as much evidence as possible, including the names of witnesses who can corroborate the harassment did occur. If you are uncomfortable approaching the manager, report to the President of the Board of Stewards. A confidential investigation will be conducted promptly.

The Board of Stewards, or a committee appointed by the Board of Stewards, will hold a hearing to discuss this matter, where all parties will have the opportunity to present his/her case to ensure a fair hearing. If adequate evidence is shown the harassment did indeed occur, the Board will immediately ensure appropriate protection for the employee involved.

If an investigation confirms that harassment has occurred, it will be considered gross misconduct if the person is a co-worker. Suspension or terminations of employment are possible corrective actions. In the case of a customer, other person or member found to have engaged in harassment, the customer or other person may be barred from the store and a member expelled by action of the Board of Stewards as specified in the Bylaws. All matters concerning a complaint and subsequent proceedings and actions will be treated as confidential.

The victim is encouraged to file an official police report against the harasser. This can be done in person at the Newark Police Department at 220 Elkton Road in Newark, or call 302.366.7111 for more information.

Nominees For Board Seats Campaigning In The Store

Nominees who come into the store and campaign for themselves in times other than the designated "Meet the Candidates" weekend are allowed to do so, as is their right in the democratic process. Further, it is necessary for such nominees who campaign to 1.) in no way disrupt the functioning of the store and 2.) be respectful and quiet while talking with others in the store. There has never been the need to have written guidelines for in-store campaigning since it has been rare that nominees for Board seats have done in-store campaigning. With concerns about expansion and other recent issues, it is time for such written guidelines to avoid abuse by nominees who choose to campaign in-store. Furthermore, staff must realize that candidates for Board seats have the right to campaign in-store when such campaigning is conducted respectfully and observes this policy approved by the Board of Stewards.

• A. Candidates are not allowed to stand right inside the front "IN" door greeting shoppers.
• B. Candidates must immediately announce themselves to the person in charge of the store (the General Manager, the Floor Manager, or any other designated person in charge) on whatever day they choose to campaign. The person in charge will instruct the candidate(s) where they may campaign on that day.

Disruptive campaigning by nominees or their designees among the membership gives the General Manager, the Floor Manager, or the designated person in charge the right to insist the campaigners in question 1.) take their campaigning outside the store and/or 2.) return another day when they can abide by respectful and quiet campaigning. Disruptive campaigning includes defamation of the store and its leadership on staff or on the Board, loud talking, and blocking the way of staff performing their duties and customers doing shopping.