Town of Orleans, MA Equal Opportunity Policy Statement

Non-discrimination and equal opportunity are the policies of the Town of Orleans in all of its programs and activities. To that end, all employees shall take steps to ensure equality of opportunity in the internal affairs of all departments, as well as in their relations with the public, including those persons and organizations doing business with any agent of the town. Each department, in discharging its statutory responsibilities, shall consider the likely effects which its decisions, programs and activities shall have in meeting the goal of equality of opportunity. The town will undertake every possible effort to effectuate the mandates of Executive Order No. 227 and the commonwealth's civil rights laws and regulations.

The policy requires the elimination of discriminatory barriers regarding race, color, handicap, creed, national origin, national ancestry, age and sex. It must also include positive and aggressive measures to ensure equal opportunity in internal personnel practices and in those programs which can affect persons inside as well as outside of town government. This policy includes efforts necessary to address the effects of present or past discriminatory patterns and action necessary to guarantee equal opportunity for all people.

[Added 7-25-1990]

As the elected governing body in the Town of Orleans, the Board of Selectmen shall be responsible for the implementation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Plan contained herein. To assure that the town's personnel policies and practices incorporate the plan's objectives to the fullest extent, the Board of Selectmen hereby delegate the administrative responsibilities for all aspects of the town's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan for employment to the Administrative Assistant. In his/her capacity as Administrative Assistant all statutory and administrative authority shall be delegated to him/her to assure that the plan's intent, goals and objectives are complied with. These functions of the Administrative Assistant shall designate him/her as "Equal Employment Opportunity Officer."

The Equal Employment Opportunity functions of the Administrative Assistant include the responsibility and authority for the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, procedures, guidelines and regulations for the town to insure that the town employment process operates in compliance with Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Massachusetts Fair Employment Practice Act and other relevant statutes and their subsequent amendments. With direct accountability to the Town Executive, the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer's duties shall include the following:

(1)

Oversee the implementation of the equal employment opportunity as outlined and mandated by federal and state law.

(2)

Develop goals and timetables to insure the systematic, orderly and efficient inclusion of female, minority and handicapped representatives in the municipal work force.

(3)

Develop and implement an efficient, effective reporting recording system to measure compliance with duties (1) and (2) above, as well as town needs.

(4)

Review existing employment policies and procedures to cite possible revision for equal opportunity reasons.

(5)

Maintain necessary files and records for affirmative action needs.

(6)

Coordinate town and affirmative action needs and requirements concerning job vacancies, job announcements, new hires, applicant flow, employment procedure and turnover rates.

(7)

Develop and maintain recruitment resource listings.

(8)

Function as a consultant and information resource in all matters pertaining to equal employment opportunity/affirmative action information internally and externally.

(9)

Keep informed of relevant laws, regulations and court decisions affecting Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action and pass on such information to elected officials and/or employees.

(10)

Prepare periodic reports to be submitted to appropriate government agencies.

(11)

Serve as the grievance officer for non-union municipal employees and other aggrieved parties and assist in the resolution of formal complaints.

(12)

Revise and update the town's Affirmative Action Plan annually (if applicable) or whenever legal changes necessitate.

(13)

Assist all town personnel in working toward compliance with the law and the Affirmative Action Plan (if applicable).

(14)

Respond to the requests and requirements of the Board of Selectmen for specific and general assignments affecting equal employment opportunity/affirmative action and total employment in the town.

These specific duties of the designated Equal Employment Opportunity Officer do not assign the commitment to nor the responsibilities for the Town of Orleans' affirmative action compliance to one (1) individual. It is the responsibility of all elected officials, department heads, supervisory personnel and individuals working as representatives of the Town of Orleans to demonstrate adherence to the principals of equal employment opportunity and good faith efforts toward the achievement of the stipulated goals and objectives stated herein.