§ 400.101. Statement of policy.

(a)

Employment. The Council hereby declares it to be the policy of the City that personnel shall be employed, compensated, promoted, transferred, or disciplined without regard to race, color, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, marital status, or any circumstances other than merit and qualification.

(b)

Equal Opportunity/Equal Access. The Council declares it to be the policy of the City that the character and quality of its workforce shall be enhanced by an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Program that promotes and enforces equal opportunity and access to, and advancement within, the City's workforce. The Council declares that a diverse public workforce that is representative of our community is desirable and can be achieved through equal opportunity, equal access, and aggressive recruiting.

(c)

Disability. The City is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in its employment practices, provision of public services, and access to governmental facilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities will be actively recruited to fill City positions. The City recognizes its legal obligation to employ, promote, train, retain and reasonably accommodate disabled persons in City government.

(d)

Harassment. It is the policy of the City to provide a professional and businesslike work environment free from all forms of employee discrimination, including incidents of harassment.

(1)

Sexual harassment. No applicant for employment or employee shall be subjected to unsolicited and unwelcome, or conditional sexual overtures or conduct of either a verbal or physical nature, including patting and touching, nor shall there be allowed to exist a sexually, or gender related hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment as a result of any such conduct or speech, which would detract from an employee's capacity to successfully perform in the workplace.

(2)

Other forms of harassment. No employee or applicant for employment shall be subjected to any other form of workplace harassment, whether based upon a state or federally protected status, a physical characteristic or a personal orientation or belief, which might detract from an employee's or candidate's capacity to successfully perform in the workplace. This policy of non-harassment is not intended to limit management's authority to supervise the workforce and to engage in instruction, direction, counseling, training, personal supervision, or discipline.

(e)

Prohibition against Retaliation. Complainants and their representatives, witnesses, and all other individuals involved in the processing of internal Equal Opportunity/Equal Access complaints shall be free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or retaliation with respect to their participation.

(f)

Resolution of Complaints. It is the policy of the City to resolve complaints of discrimination internally, in a prompt and non-adversarial manner, to fairly investigate such complaints, respect the rights of complainants and the accused, and provide for fair and adequate relief where appropriate.

(Ord. 2004-699-E, § 4; Ord. 2017-15-E , § 2)