CLIMATE STATEMENT
Respect is a basic building block in every organization. Respect for one another as colleagues is fundamental to getting work done in effective, efficient and innovative ways.

Consistent with the Mission and Vision of the Board of Commissioners, Hennepin County will:

• Value differences and recognize similarities among employees, volunteers, union representatives, clients, customers and vendors;
• Support a work environment free of all forms of discrimination, including harassment;
• Develop a diverse workforce which reflects the community; and
• Encourage a climate of cooperation in our work environments that promotes a positive attitude toward the provision of services.

POLICY STATEMENT
Hennepin County values differences and recognizes similarities among employees, volunteers, union representatives, clients, customers and vendors. It is the responsibility of all Hennepin County employees and volunteers to generate and maintain work environments in which employees, volunteers, union representatives, clients, customers, and vendors are respected, valued and welcomed.

Consistent with this policy, all Hennepin County employees and volunteers will foster environments that value diversity and support the elimination of discrimination in the workplace.

Discrimination is a violation of state/federal civil rights laws, including the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Hennepin County is committed to providing:

• A workplace free from discrimination based on an individual's protected-class status of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or public assistance status; and the provision of public services on the same basis;
• A workplace free from harassment, including sexual and racial harassment;
• Affirmative action and equal employment opportunities in all phases of employment through recruitment, retention and advancement of diverse and qualified people, and utilization of job-related criteria in making employment decisions.

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
All county employees, volunteers, union representatives, clients, customers and vendors are expected to treat each other with respect.

County managers and supervisors are responsible for addressing all reports of discrimination, including harassment. They will have, as a regular part of their performance appraisals, an evaluation of their efforts in regard to this policy.

The county's complaint process provides for prompt, thorough and objective investigations of alleged discrimination, including harassment. If you believe you are the target of behavior which violates this policy, or you are a witness to such conduct, you have the following options:

• Contact your supervisor, manager or department director; management has the responsibility to respond in accordance with the countyÕs complaint process; and/or
• Contact the Human Resources and Employee Relations Department; and/or
• Contact the business representative or the steward of your union; and/or
• In cases of discrimination, you can file a formal charge with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and/or file a private suit.