The Town of South Hadley (Town) is committed to promoting nondiscrimination,
diversity, and equal opportunity, and, if necessary, affirmative action
in all of its policies regarding employment and provision of services.
The employment policies and practices of the Town are to recruit,
hire and promote employees on the basis of qualifications, and ability,
without discrimination because of membership in a protected class,
and to treat them equally with respect to compensation and opportunities
for advancement, including but not limited to job assignment, supervision,
training, upgrading, promotion, transfer, layoff, recall from layoff,
termination, and other terms and conditions of employment.
In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities
for all individuals, no employee or applicant shall be discriminated
against on the basis of race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry,
national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era
veterans), criminal background, genetic information or other legally
protected status. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all
employment practices and procedures and all other aspects of the employment
relationship.
The Town recognizes that specific affirmative action may be
necessary to help ensure equal opportunity and to provide equitable
remedies consistent with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and all civil rights laws that pertain to affirmative action and nondiscrimination
and apply to the Town. The Town's affirmative action policy is
meant to further these interests and goals. Provisions in applicable
laws providing for bona fide occupational qualifications and business
necessity will be adhered to by the Town where appropriate.
The Town shall make its personnel aware that it is the responsibility
of each member of management to give the nondiscrimination policy
full support through direction and personal example. The Town shall
inform employees of the desired workplace environment which is conducive
to nondiscrimination, diversity, and equal opportunity. The Town recognizes
the importance of union cooperation and will work with union representatives
regarding the goals of this policy. Nothing in this policy statement
is intended to supersede any legal or contractual right(s) of Town
employees.
An employee who believes that he or she has been treated in
a manner that violates this policy and/or federal, state, or local
employment laws should report the matter immediately to the Human
Resources Department. Employees can raise concerns and make reports
without fear of unlawful retaliation.