(A) It is the policy of the County to provide an internal complaint and investigation procedure to encourage early resolution of an alleged civil rights violation based on employee complaints within the organization and to monitor policies, practices and actions. This policy is in addition to any existing grievance and complaint procedures.
(B) Any employee who feels that he/she has received unfair treatment in discipline, pay, promotion or assignment because of his/her race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, or veteran's status may file a complaint.
(C) The County's Grievance Committee will receive and investigate all complaints of a discriminatory nature. Utilizing this procedure will not preclude any other internal grievance or complaint procedure; however, utilizing an external complaint procedure, such as filing with the State Civil Rights or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission will preclude use of the internal procedure due to superseding authority.
(D) Departments and divisions of County government are encouraged to create internal anti-discrimination practices that improve communication and voluntary compliance with the County's civil rights policy. Corrective action may be directed by the Grievance Committee or the Board of Commissioners (or other elected official) when voluntary methods fail.
(E) Investigative Compliance - Due to the seriousness of a civil rights violation, employees, department heads, managers and elected officials shall cooperate with complaint investigations by meeting at a reasonable time and place and providing information requested by the Grievance Committee. Attempts to frustrate this process or take retribution on employees for utilizing this process will not be tolerated, and proven cases may result in disciplinary action against an appointed board member, department head or supervisor involved.
(F) Complaints must be filed within thirty (30) calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action.