The Borough of East Rutherford is committed to the principle of equal
employment opportunity pursuant to Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
as amended by the Equal Opportunity Act of 1972. Under no circumstances will
the Borough of East Rutherford discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color,
religion, national origin, age, marital or political status, disability, or
sex or sexual orientation. Decisions regarding hiring, promotion, transfer,
demotion or termination are based solely on the qualifications and performance
of the employee or prospective employee. If any employees or prospective employees
feels they have been treated unfairly, they have the right to address their
concern with their Department Head, Supervisor or the Personnel Administrator.
The Borough of East Rutherford will not tolerate harassment in the workplace,
including harassment motivated by sex, race, creed, color, religion, national
origin, ancestry, age, nationality, marital or political status, disability
or sexual orientation. Borough officials, appointees, managers, supervisors,
employees, volunteers and outside contractors alike must comply with this
policy and take appropriate measures to insure that such conduct does not
occur. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action up to
and including discharge or, in the event nonemployees are found to be at fault,
other appropriate action. Employees who feel they have been subject to harassment
must report the harassment to their supervisor or, if they prefer, to the
department head or the Personnel Administrator.
Employees who wish to complain of harassment or any other workplace
wrongdoing are requested to immediately report the matter to their supervisor
or, if they prefer, to their department head or the Personnel Administrator.
Employees are encouraged to complain in writing using the employee complaint
form but may make a verbal complaint, at their discretion. No retaliatory
measures shall be taken against any employee who complains of workplace wrongdoing.
The Borough of East Rutherford will, to the maximum extent feasible, maintain
the confidentiality of such complaints on a need-to-know basis. However, investigation
of such complaints may require disclosure to the accused party and other witnesses
in order to gather pertinent facts.
The official personnel file for each employee shall be maintained by
the department head. Personnel files are confidential records that must he
secured in a locked cabinet and will only be available to authorized managerial
and supervisory personnel on a need-to-know basis. Records relating to any
medical condition will be maintained in a separate file. Electronic personnel
and medical records must be protected from unauthorized access. Any employee
may review his/her file in the presence of the department head upon reasonable
request.
Employees have exactly the same right as any other citizen to join political
organizations and participate in political activities, as long as they maintain
a clear separation between their official responsibilities and their political
affiliations. Employees are prohibited from engaging in political activities
while performing their public duties and from using Borough time, supplies
or equipment in any political activity. Any violation of this policy must
be reported to the supervisor, department head, Personnel Administrator or
Borough Attorney.
An employee who intends to resign must notify the department head in
writing at least two weeks in advance. After giving notice of resignation,
employees are expected to assist their supervisor and co-employees by providing
information concerning their current projects and help in the training of
a replacement. During the last two weeks, the employee may not use paid time
off except paid holidays. The department head will conduct a confidential
exit interview to discuss benefits, including COBRA options, appropriate retirement
issues and pay due. A COBRA notification letter will be sent to the employee's
home address. The exit interview will also include an open discussion with
the employee. On the last day of work, and prior to receiving the final paycheck,
the employee must return the employee identification card, all keys and equipment.
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 4A:8-1.1, the Borough of East Rutherford may institute
layoff actions for economy, efficiency or other related reasons but will first
consider voluntary alternatives. Seniority, lateral or other reemployment
rights for employees in career service titles will be determined by the New
Jersey Department of Personnel.