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.