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Receive a presentation from the Human Resources Department on Harassment and Discrimination Awareness.
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REQUESTOR:
Mayor Pro Tem Tina Bennett-Burton, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Roger Neal, Councilmember Omar Roman.
BACKGROUND:
Each year, the City regularly conducts harassment and discrimination training for its employees. This training is essential for employees and leaders to understand their responsibility in maintaining a safe and engaged work environment and adhering to state and federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws. As such, we also provide training to incoming Board and Commission members, and will now extend it to all current and future City Council members moving forward. With this effort, we cover all compliance avenues for this topic for all those who officially represent the City.
DISCUSSION:
Creating a work environment that is safe, free from harassment, and discrimination isn’t just our responsibility; it’s the law. This training raises awareness about some of the nuanced behaviors that may not be immediately apparent as inherently problematic and highlights the risks and liabilities associated with them.
During the presentation, we will discuss the following items:
1. The role of City Council members as representatives of the City related to workplace liability.
2. The governing rules of the City Charter and the Code of Ethics, along with state and federal laws that we are all accountable to, related to a safe work environment.
3. An overview of harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and hostile work environment.
4. The potential liability and consequences of illegal employment practices, such as harassment or retaliation.
5. How to report and respond to issues when they arise.
This agenda item was completed with review by the City Attorney team.
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Presentation