[Amended 7-12-2011 by L.L. No. 10-2011]
This article shall be known as the "Anti-Discrimination Law of the Town of North Hempstead."
[Amended 6-2-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015; 12-18-2018 by L.L. No. 14-2018; 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019]
A. 
The Town Board of the Town of North Hempstead recognizes that discrimination, harassment, adverse employment action or retaliation in the workplace based on (1) actual or perceived differences, including those based on age, race, creed, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender or veteran status (each classification constituting a "protected class") or (2) good faith reporting of violations of the Town’s Code of Ethics or other instances of potential wrongdoing within the Town is offensive, unlawful, and a violation of Town policies.
B. 
The Town Board of the Town of North Hempstead hereby finds and declares that harassment, prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination, retaliation and disorder occasioned thereby threaten the rights and proper privileges of its inhabitants and menace the institutions and foundation of a free democratic state.
C. 
The purpose of this article therefore is to protect every Town employee's right to be free from discrimination, harassment or retaliation in the workplace as well as encourage and enable Town employees to report credible allegations of misconduct, wrongdoing, or unethical behavior in good faith within the Town without fear of retaliation or adverse employment action. Every Town employee is entitled to a working environment free from discrimination, harassment or retaliation, and all Town personnel and persons with whom the Town conducts business are hereby advised that discrimination, harassment or retaliation will not be tolerated within the workplace.
[Amended 6-2-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015; 12-18-2018 by L.L. No. 14-2018; 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019]
A. 
It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice to refuse to hire or employ or to bar or to discharge from employment, or refuse to do business with any person(s) or to harass or discriminate against any person(s), or to otherwise subject to adverse employment action in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment or the conduct of business because of the actual or perceived age, race, creed, religion, color, sex, national origin, disability, ancestry, citizenship, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, veteran, marital or whistleblower status of any person.
B. 
This article applies to employees of the Town of North Hempstead and the Town of North Hempstead Solid Waste Management Authority (collectively "Town employees"), applicants for employment, interns (paid and unpaid), and all persons and entities with which the Town conducts business, e.g., outside vendors, contractors, consultants, and members of the public.
A. 
The practices prohibited in § 23-17.2 above include harassment on the basis of an individual's actual or perceived membership in one of the identified protected classes.
B. 
Sexual harassment.
[Amended 6-2-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015; 12-18-2018 by L.L. No. 14-2018]
(1) 
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is unlawful under federal, state and local law. Sexual harassment includes harassment on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, self-identified or perceived sex, gender expression, gender identity and the status of being transgender.
(2) 
Sexual harassment includes unwelcome conduct which is either of a sexual nature or which is directed to an individual because of his/her sex when:
(a) 
Submission to the conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment; or
(b) 
Submission to, or rejection of, such conduct is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individuals; or
(c) 
Such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering unreasonably with the individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment even if the reporting individual is not the intended target of the sexual harassment.
(3) 
Forms of sexual harassment that can create a hostile work environment include, but are not limited to, words, signs, jokes, pranks, intimidation or physical violence which are of a sexual nature, or which are directed at an individual because of that individual's sex.
(4) 
The following is a partial list of examples of sexually harassing conduct:
(a) 
Unwanted sexual advances or propositions, including requests for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning the target's job performance evaluation, promotion or other job benefits or detriments and subtle or obvious pressure for unwanted sexual activities;
(b) 
Sexually oriented gestures, noises, remarks, jokes or comments about a person's sexuality or sexual experience which creates a hostile work environment;
(c) 
Sex stereotyping which occurs when conduct or personality traits are considered inappropriate simply because they may not conform to other people's idea or perceptions about how individuals of a particular sex should act or look;
(d) 
Sexual or discriminatory displays or publications anywhere in the workplace, including displaying pictures, posters, calendars, graffiti, objects, promotional material, reading materials, or other materials that are sexually demeaning or pornographic. This includes displays on workplace computers, cell phones or other electronic devices and sharing these displays while in the workplace;
(e) 
Hostile actions taken against an individual because of his/her sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or transgender status, including: interfering with, destroying or damaging a person's workstation, tools, equipment, or otherwise interfering with the person's ability to perform the job; sabotaging a person's work; and bullying, yelling or name-calling; or
(f) 
Physical conduct such as touching, petting, pinching, patting, kissing, hugging, grabbing, brushing against another person's body, impeding or blocking movements, poking another person's body, rape, sexual battery, molestation or any such attempts to commit such assaults.
(5) 
Sexual harassment on the job is unlawful, whether it involves co-worker harassment, harassment by a supervisor or member of management, or harassment by persons doing business with or for the Town.
C. 
Other forms of harassment. Harassment on the basis of a protected class other than sex is unlawful under federal, state and local law. Prohibited conduct includes behavior similar to that outlined under § 23-17.3B of this article for sexual harassment. The following is a partial list of examples of harassing conduct:
[Amended 12-18-2018 by L.L. No. 14-2018]
(1) 
Discriminatory displays or publications based on membership in a protected class, anywhere in the workplace, including displaying pictures, posters, calendars, graffiti, objects, promotional material, reading materials or other materials that are racially, ethnically or religiously demeaning. This includes displays on workplace computers, cell phones or other electronic devices and sharing these displays while in the workplace;
(2) 
Gestures, noises, remarks, jokes or comments based on a person's membership in a protected class, such as racial, ethnic or religious jokes, or derogatory comments, slurs, innuendoes, epithets or threats (including those uttered over radio or television broadcasts); or
(3) 
Physical conduct such as touching, impeding, blocking movements or battery, assault or attempts to commit such assaults because of membership in a protected class.
(4) 
Hostile actions taken against an individual because of his/her protected class, including: interfering with, destroying or damaging a person's workstation, tools, equipment, or otherwise interfering with the person's ability to perform the job; sabotaging a person's work; and bullying, yelling or name-calling.
A. 
The term "disability" means any physical, medical, mental or psychological impairment, or a history or record of such impairment.
B. 
The term "physical, medical, mental or psychological impairment" means:
(1) 
An impairment of any system of the body, including, but not limited to: the neurological system; the musculoskeletal system; the special sense organs and respiratory organs, including, but not limited to, speech organs; the cardiovascular system; the reproductive system; the digestive and genito-urinary systems; the hemic and lymphatic systems; the immunological systems; the skin; and the endocrine system; or
(2) 
A mental or psychological impairment.
C. 
In the case of alcoholism, drug addiction or other substance abuse, the term "disability" shall only apply to a person who is recovering or has recovered and currently is free of such abuse, and shall not include an individual who is currently engaging in the illegal use of drugs or currently working under the influence of alcohol, when the covered entity acts on the basis of such use.
[Amended 12-18-2018 by L.L. No. 14-2018]
[Amended 6-2-2015 by L.L. No. 5-2015]
The term "gender" shall include actual or perceived sex and shall also include a person's gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression, whether or not that gender identity, self-image, appearance, behavior or expression is different from that traditionally associated with the legal sex assigned at birth.
[Added 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019[1]]
The term "good faith" means disclosing information concerning potential wrongdoing which the individual making the disclosure reasonably believes to be true and reasonably believes to constitute wrongdoing.
[1]
Editor’s Note: This local law also renumbered former §§ 23-17.6 through 23-17.10 as §§ 23-17.10 through 23-17.14, respectively.
[Added 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019]
The term "whistleblower" shall include any Town employee who in good faith discloses information concerning wrongdoing by another Town employee, or wrongdoing concerning business conducted by the Town.
[Added 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019]
The term "wrongdoing" shall include any alleged corruption, fraud, criminal or unethical activity, misconduct, waste, conflict of interest, intentional reporting of false or misleading information, or abuse of authority engaged in by a Town employee that relates to the Town.
[Added 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019]
All Town employees who discover or have knowledge of potential wrongdoing concerning board members, officers, or other employees of the Town; or a person having business dealings with the Town; or concerning the Town itself shall report such activity in a prompt and timely manner in accordance with the procedure outlined under § 23-17.12B. The identity of the whistleblower and the substance of his or her allegations will be kept confidential to the extent possible.
It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to aid, abet, incite, compel or coerce the doing of any of the acts forbidden under this article, or to attempt to do so.
[Amended 12-18-2018 by L.L. No. 14-2018; 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019]
A. 
Retaliation and/or adverse personnel action of any kind against an individual or whistleblower who makes a good-faith report of wrongdoing, potential violations of the Town’s Code of Ethics or otherwise unlawful harassment or discrimination or who participates truthfully in an investigation into an allegation of wrongdoing, harassment or discrimination is prohibited.
B. 
Retaliation is unlawful under federal, state and local law against an individual who has engaged in protected activity. Allegations of retaliation against an individual who has engaged in protected activity will be investigated by the Town in accordance with § 23-17.12B. Any individual who retaliates against or attempts to interfere with any individual who in good faith engages in protected activity may be subject to discipline as outlined under § 23-17.12G.
C. 
Protected activity occurs when a person has:
(1) 
Filed a complaint disclosing any alleged corruption, fraud, criminal or unethical activity, misconduct, waste, conflict of interest, intentional reporting of false or misleading information, or abuse of authority engaged in by a Town employee that relates to the Town or of harassment or discrimination, either internally or with any anti-discrimination agency;
(2) 
Testified or assisted in a proceeding involving wrongdoing, harassment or discrimination under New York State's Human Rights Law or another anti-discrimination law;
(3) 
Opposed wrongdoing, harassment or discrimination by making a verbal or informal complaint to management, or by simply informing a supervisor or manager of harassment;
(4) 
Complained that another Town employee has been harassed or been discriminated against; or
(5) 
Encouraged a fellow Town employee to report harassment or discrimination.
[Amended 12-18-2018 by L.L. No. 14-2018; 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019; 11-14-2023 by L.L. No. 19-2023]
A. 
Complaints.
(1) 
Complaints of wrongdoing, unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation may be directed to the appropriate department head, or to the Commissioner of Human Resources or to the Town Attorney or his/her designee. Complainants are encouraged, but not required, to consult initially with their department head(s) to attempt informal resolution. Complaints made initially to the department head which are not informally resolved to the satisfaction of the complainant shall be referred to the Commissioner of Human Resources or the Town Attorney. Complaints shall be made within one year after occurrence of the alleged prohibited conduct.
(2) 
Anyone who witnesses or becomes aware of potential instances of wrongdoing, harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation may report such behavior to the department head, or the Commissioner of Human Resources or the Town Attorney or his/her designee. Reports of harassment or discrimination may be made orally or in writing.
(3) 
Any supervisor or manager who receives a complaint or information about suspected wrongdoing, discriminatory harassment, observes what may be wrongdoing, discriminatory and/or harassing behavior or for any reason becomes aware of or suspects that wrongdoing or discriminatory harassment is occurring or has occurred shall report that suspected harassment to the department head, or the Commissioner of Human Resources or the Town Attorney or his/her designee. Failure to report suspected wrongdoing, discriminatory harassment or otherwise knowingly allowing the continuation of discriminatory harassment or wrongdoing may result in disciplinary action, subject to any statutory or contractual limitations.
(4) 
All complaints of wrongdoing, unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation and information and proceedings relating thereto shall be kept in strict confidence except as otherwise specified herein.
(5) 
Nothing herein shall limit a complainant's right to pursue any other legal remedy available to him or her.
B. 
Investigation.
(1) 
The Town Attorney or his/her designee shall, in a timely manner, conduct an investigation of the complaint, interviewing appropriate persons, examining relevant records and consulting with and utilizing any appropriate Town staff. The investigation should determine, with as much detail as possible, the sequence in which the alleged events occurred, the identity of each person involved and their respective roles, and the exact words and/or conduct of each person involved in the reported events. To the extent possible, fact-finding interviews should be conducted by the same person(s).
(2) 
If the Town Attorney or his/her designee deems it appropriate, the parties to the complaint may be brought together to attempt an informal resolution of the complaint in a manner satisfactory to both parties.
(3) 
Both the complainant and the person against whom the complaint is made shall be permitted to have counsel or other representatives present at any interview or other proceedings.
(4) 
Investigations shall be conducted by the Town Attorney or his/her designee in accordance with the following procedures:
(a) 
Upon receipt of a complaint, an immediate review of the allegations will be conducted and any interim action will be taken, as appropriate.
(b) 
Obtain and review relevant documents, emails or phone records.
(c) 
Conduct interviews of the parties, including relevant witnesses.
(d) 
Prepare a written summary of the investigation that contains the following:
[1] 
A list of reviewed documents and their contents;
[2] 
A list of interviewed parties and witnesses and detailed summary of their statements;
[3] 
A timeline of events;
[4] 
A summary of prior relevant incidents; and
[5] 
A recommendation in accordance with the procedure outlined under § 23-17.8C.
(e) 
Keep the written documentation and associated documents in the employer's records.
(f) 
Inform the complainant of their right to file a complaint or charge externally.
(g) 
Each person interviewed in connection with such an investigation shall be advised that they are protected by the nonretaliation provision of this article.
C. 
Town Attorney's recommendation.
(1) 
Upon conclusion of the investigation and within 90 days after the complaint is brought, the Town Attorney shall make a written recommendation to the Supervisor, which shall be one of the following:
(a) 
A recommendation of a finding that no prohibited conduct has occurred;
(b) 
A recommendation that material facts in dispute be resolved by conducting a formal hearing; or
(c) 
A recommendation of a finding that no facts are in dispute and that prohibited conduct has occurred.
(2) 
Copies of the Town Attorney's recommendation shall be mailed to the complainant and the party against whom the complaint was made.
D. 
Action by Supervisor. Within 14 days of receiving the Town Attorney's recommendation:
(1) 
The Supervisor may, but need not, adopt the Town Attorney's recommendation. If the Town Attorney's recommendation is not adopted, the Supervisor shall prepare a written statement detailing the factual and/or legal basis on which the decision not to adopt the recommendation was based.
(2) 
The Supervisor may also pursue mediation or alternative dispute resolution, including requiring informal appearances by the parties or witnesses. The Town Board shall, subject to the Town's Payment and Procurement Policy, approve and maintain a list of qualified outside firms or entities from which the Supervisor shall select a mediator or alternative dispute resolution provider. If no such list exists, the Supervisor shall retain a mediator or alternative dispute provider in accordance with the Town's Payment and Procurement Policy. If the charged person is the Supervisor, the Deputy Supervisor or a member of the Supervisor's staff, the Board of Ethics shall select the mediator or alternative dispute resolution provider either from the approved list or in accordance with the Town's Payment and Procurement Policy.
E. 
Hearing.
(1) 
Upon adoption of the Town Attorney's recommendation to conduct a formal hearing or upon written request of a party accompanied by a showing of material facts in dispute, the Supervisor or his/her designee shall conduct a formal hearing in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) 
The Town Board shall, subject to the Town's Payment and Procurement Policy, approve and maintain a list of qualified outside firms from which the Supervisor shall select a hearing officer. If no such list exists, the Supervisor shall retain a hearing officer in accordance with the Town's Payment and Procurement Policy. If the charged person is the Supervisor, the Deputy Supervisor or a member of the Supervisor's staff, the Board of Ethics shall select the hearing officer either from the approved list or in accordance with the Town's Payment and Procurement Policy.
(3) 
The hearing officer shall: i) be an attorney who is admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York and be in good standing with a minimum of five years practice and/or experience in the area of labor and employment law; ii) be impartial and free of any personal, professional, or financial interest which would conflict with his or her objectivity in the hearing; and iii) not have participated in the underlying investigation.
(4) 
Such hearing shall provide an opportunity for parties and witnesses to be heard, shall be conducted so as to do substantial justice between the parties according to the rules of substantive law and shall not be bound by statutory provisions or rules of practice, procedure, pleading or evidence, except that hearings conducted under this article will follow the provisions of Article 3 of the New York State Administrative Procedures Act. The Town Board is authorized to establish, by resolution, additional rules governing the procedures for hearings under this article. The hearing should be conducted in a timely manner and pursued with sufficient diligence to reach a conclusion without undue delay. The Town may elect to have legal counsel present at the hearing to represent the Town's interest.
(5) 
Within 14 days of the conclusion of such hearing, the Supervisor or his/her designee shall issue a written statement of findings of fact, including a determination as to whether or not prohibited conduct has occurred.
F. 
Record. The record maintained with respect to each complaint of wrongdoing, discrimination, harassment or retaliation shall contain the written complaint; the Town Attorney's or his/her designee's memo summarizing the investigation; the recommendation of the Town Attorney or his/her designee; if a formal hearing is conducted, a record thereof in a form determined by the Supervisor or his/her designee; the Supervisor's or his/her designee's statement of findings of fact; and the Supervisor's or his/her designee's written determination. Such record shall be available to either party or the designee thereof.
G. 
Discipline sanction. Conduct which is found to violate this article shall be deemed a serious violation of Town policy and shall be the basis for disciplinary action as set forth herein. The disciplinary action shall be in accordance with a graduated schedule of penalties and disciplinary actions to be assessed and instituted by the Supervisor in accordance with the severity and/or repetitiveness of any finding and determination of discrimination, harassment or retaliation and shall include one or more of the following:
(1) 
Verbal reprimand to be noted in the offender's personnel file.
(2) 
Written reprimand to be included in the offender's personnel file.
(3) 
Transfer as a result of a satisfactory informal resolution procedure or as a sanction prior to the completion of a Subsection 75 Civil Service Law hearing or a formal hearing.
(4) 
Demotion in grade and title.
(5) 
Suspension without pay for a period not exceeding two months.
(6) 
Fine not to exceed $100 to be deducted from the salary or wages of such employee.
(7) 
Dismissal of the offender.
H. 
Should the procedures set forth herein be inconsistent with the disciplinary procedures under a collective bargaining agreement in effect for the Town, then covered employees will be disciplined consistent with the collective bargaining agreement.
I. 
Process when conflict of interest exists. Notwithstanding any provisions of this article to the contrary:
(1) 
In the event the Town Supervisor, Deputy Supervisor or a member of the Supervisor's staff is named in a complaint alleging wrongdoing, unlawful discrimination, harassment or retaliation, or is involved in the incident, or the Town Supervisor otherwise has a conflict, a hearing officer designated pursuant to this article shall, upon a determination that prohibited conduct has occurred, include in his/her written statement of findings of fact a recommendation for disciplinary action as described in § 23-17.12G. If the hearing officer's recommendation is not adopted by the Supervisor, the Supervisor shall prepare a written statement detailing the factual and/or legal basis on which the decision not to adopt the recommendation was based. Such statement shall be made part of the record.
(2) 
No person against whom such a complaint has been made shall take part in any discussion, investigation or decisionmaking process provided for herein, but this shall not preclude such person from offering his/her version of the matter to the designated investigator or hearing officer.
[Amended 9-25-2019 by L.L. No. 14-2019]
The Town Board, by resolution, shall adopt a policy to be provided to Town employees in order to ensure that all Town employees are informed of the Town's Anti-Discrimination Law, to assist Town employees who complain of prohibited conduct and to maintain in each office a working environment free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, word or part of this article is adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this article but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, word or part of this article directly involved in the controversy in which judgment is rendered.