The commitment of the County of McLean (County) to the most
fundamental principles of freedom, equality of opportunity, and human
dignity requires that decisions involving residents, visitors, and
employees be based on merit and be free from invidious discrimination
in all its forms. This policy is designed to promote a safe and healthy
community and work environment and to comply with multiple laws that
prohibit discrimination, including the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title
VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities
Act Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act of 1967, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title
IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, the Pregnancy Discrimination
Act of 1978, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act,
the Vietnam-Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and the Illinois
Human Rights Act. This policy and the associated procedures are established
to provide a means to address complaints of discrimination or harassment
based on the protected categories described herein.
This Nondiscrimination Policy applies to all County departments,
agencies, programs, and access to County services. In furtherance
of the County's commitment to the principles of equality and
equal opportunity, this policy may be invoked by residents, applicants,
visitors, employees, and former employees of the County of McLean.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
DISCRIMINATION
To be subject to different treatment based on membership
in a protected classification and to thereby experience an adverse
employment or academic action or to be excluded from participation
in or denied the benefits of a County program.
HARASSMENT
A form of discrimination and unwelcome conduct based on an
individual's status within a protected classification. The unwelcome
conduct may be verbal, written, electronic or physical in nature.
This policy is violated when the unwelcome conduct is based on one
or more of the protected classifications (defined below), and is either:
A.
Sufficiently severe or pervasive; and objectively offensive;
and unreasonably interferes with, denies, or limits a person's
ability to participate or benefit from County programs or employment
opportunities, assessments, or status at the County; or
B.
Performed by a person having power or authority over another
in which submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly
a term or condition of opportunities, participation, assessments,
or status at the County.
PROTECTED CLASSIFICATIONS
Race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, disability, national
origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information,
marital status, disability, sexual orientation, including gender identity,
unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran.
RETALIATION
Any action, or attempted action, directly or indirectly,
against any person(s), because they have, in good faith, reported
or disclosed a violation of this policy, filed a complaint of discrimination,
or in any other way participated in an investigation, proceeding,
complaint, or hearing under this policy. Retaliation includes but
is not limited to harassment, discrimination, threats, job termination
or other disciplinary action, negative job performance evaluations,
and adjustment in pay or responsibilities. Actions are considered
retaliation if they have a materially adverse effect on the working
environment of a person or if they hinder or prevent the person from
effectively carrying out their County responsibilities. Any person
or group within the scope of this policy who engages in retaliation
is subject to a separate complaint of retaliation under this policy.
McLean County's Nondiscrimination Policy is available on
the County website at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/1150/Equal-Opportunity-Employer
and is on file in the office of the County Administrator.