A.
It is the purpose of this bylaw to provide to all covered employees the policies and procedures for assuring maintenance of an equitable personnel management system in the Town of Lynnfield. The policies and procedures for personnel administration set forth herein have, as their purpose, to promote the efficiency and economy of government; to ensure that the quality of services offered to the taxpayers is enhanced; to promote the morale and well-being of Town employees; and to promote equal employment opportunity for all employees and candidates for employment, thereby avoiding employment litigation.
B.
The personnel policies are based on the following principles:
(1)
Recruiting, selecting, and developing employees on the basis of their abilities, knowledge, and skills.
(2)
Providing equitable compensation.
(3)
Training employees as needed to assure high-quality performance in delivering quality services to the public.
(4)
Retaining employees on the basis of the adequacy of their performance, correcting inadequate performance, and separating employees whose performance does not adequately improve.
(5)
Assuring fair treatment of applicants and employees in all aspects of personnel administration without regard to political affiliation, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual preference, creed, handicap, disability, or any other non-merit factor, except where such factor is a bona fide occupational requirement, and with proper regard for their privacy and constitutional rights as citizens; prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of such non-merit factors.
(6)
Assuring that employees are protected against coercion for partisan political purposes and are prohibited from using their official authority for any purpose other than those duties and responsibilities directly associated with their positions in Town government.