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COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED: July 21, 2009 AMENDED: August 17, 2010 September 21, 2021 TOPIC: Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Number 201.1 POLICY SECTION: Human Resources Page 1 of 2 I. PURPOSE To establish a policy to ensure equal employment opportunity with the County and to outline procedures for action in case of violation. II. RESPONSIBILITY The Human Resources Director shall serve as the Equal Opportunity Officer to carry out the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Program. The Officer shall be the focal point for the County's equal opportunity efforts and shall advise and assist staff and management personnel in all matters regarding implementation of and compliance with the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy, and be responsible for the successful execution of the program. The Equal Opportunity Officer will have responsibility to examine existing internal policies or procedures which may serve as barriers to implementing the Equal Employment Opportunity Program. III. POLICY Applicants for positions and Employees of Columbia County government shall be assured of fair and equitable treatment in all aspects of personnel administration, including training, promotion and disciplinary action and shall be assured equal employment opportunity based on ability and fitness to all persons regardless of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, age or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability unless such disability effectively prevents the performance of the essential duties required of the position and which are bonafide, occupational qualifications which cannot be accommodated without undue hardship. The goals and objectives of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy are to: 1) Ensure fair treatment, prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type in county hiring and employment practices. 2) Provide compliance with State and Federal equal opportunity requirements and regulations. IV. PROCEDURES The Equal Opportunity Officer will: 1) Periodically review all position qualifications and job descriptions to ensure requirements are relevant to the tasks to be performed. Make recommendations as needed to delete requirements not reasonably related to the tasks to be performed. 2) Assure that pay and fringe benefits depend upon job responsibility and, along with overtime work, are administered on a non-discriminatory basis. ---PAGE BREAK--- COLUMBIA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED: July 21, 2009 AMENDED: August 17, 2010 September 21, 2021 TOPIC: Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Number 201.1 POLICY SECTION: Human Resources Page 2 of 2 3) Inform and provide guidance to staff and management personnel who make hiring decisions so that all applications for selections, promotion and termination, including those of minorities and women, are considered without discrimination and all applicants be given equal opportunity regardless of political affiliation, race, color, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or physical disability unless such disability effectively prevents the performance of essential duties and functions required by the position and which are bona fide occupational qualifications which cannot be accommodated without undue hardship. 4) Maintain a pool of qualified candidates to encourage equal employment opportunity in hiring. 5) Provide orientation for all new Employees and encourage all Employees to avail themselves of employment opportunities. 6) This policy shall be made known to all Employees, contractors, and suppliers through distribution of the Equal Opportunity Policy. Applications for employment will include an equal opportunity clause. V. EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT The following will be undertaken to achieve Employee job satisfaction and equal opportunity. 1) Seek to prevent discrimination of the type described in Section III above with regard to training and educational opportunities, reclassifications, promotions, transfer and demotion, layoffs and termination of Employees. Any actions which might adversely affect Employees and involve discrimination of the type described in Section III above will be brought to the attention of the Equal Opportunity Officer. 2) Actively encourage Employees to increase their skills and job potential through training and educational opportunities. Offer guidance and counseling in developing programs tailored to individual aptitudes and desires. VI. VIOLATIONS Violations of this policy may be cause for the full range of disciplinary action.