SUBJECT: Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
PURPOSE:
The intent of this policy is to eliminate discrimination and increase employment opportunities available to under-represented groups of people affected by discrimination. This policy reflects the Washington State School for the Blind’s (WSSB’s) commitment to creating a culture that promotes and supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workforce.
POLICY STATEMENT:
WSSB is committed to equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion.
WSSB is committed to increasing equal employment opportunities for employees without regard to:
- Race
- Color
- Age (40 or older)
- Religion
- Creed
- Marital status
- Pregnancy
- Gender
- LGBTQ+
- National origin
- Disability or genetic information
- Use of a service animal by a person with a disability
- Status as a disabled veteran, Vietnam Era veteran, recently separated veteran, or other protected veteran status
WSSB will provide equal pay and career advancement opportunities to our employees regardless of gender and will abide by the Washington State Equal Pay Opportunity Act.
WSSB will provide an environment free from all forms of discrimination in accordance with Chapter 49.60 RCW Discrimination – Human Rights Commission.
Employees shall not engage in any form of racial, religious, or sexual harassment related behavior including jokes, slurs, and innuendoes. This behavior is inappropriate in the work environment and may be grounds for disciplinary action in accordance with any applicable collective bargaining agreement or federal or state law. Refer to WSSB’s Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the Washington State Human Rights Commission website for additional information.
An employee or job seeker that believes they have been discriminated against, within the meaning of this policy, has the right to file an internal complaint with Human Resources. They also have the right to file a complaint with the Washington State Human Rights Commission or the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
WSSB will not tolerate discrimination or retaliation of any kind. Through enforcement of this policy and by education of employees, WSSB will seek to prevent, correct, and discipline behavior that violates this policy.
WSSB employees violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action under chapter 357-40 WAC Discipline and/or the provisions of applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement(s).
WSSB will take appropriate and swift action up to and including dismissal to address any violation of this policy; and
Any employee who initiates or participates in retaliation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including, dismissal.
POLICY STATEMENT:
A. The WSSB has certain responsibilities related to affirmative action.
1. The WSSB Human Resources division is responsible for:
a. Creating the agency Affirmative Action Plan;
b. Providing the agency with support services necessary to achieve the objectives of this policy; and
c. Making sure the agency Affirmative Action Plan meets the requirements found in Chapter 357-25 WAC Affirmative Action as well as other applicable state and federal law.
2. Hiring supervisors are responsible for making recruiting and hiring decisions in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the agency. Each hiring supervisor is accountable for their actions in matters relating to this policy, compliance with federal and state regulations governing employment and performance in achieving affirmative action program goals.
3. The WSSB Human Resources Director will refer un-resolved questions regarding this policy, the Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and the Reasonable Accommodation Policy to the State Human Resources director.
Authorizing sources:
- Federal law - The Civil Rights Act of 1964
- President’s Executive Orders - EO 11246 (as amended by EO 11478 and EO 13672)
- Federal code - CFR Title 41, Part 60-2
- Federal code - CFR Title 28 Judicial Administration, parts 35 through 42
- Federal code - CFR Title 29 Labor, parts 31 through 38
- State law - Chapter 41.06 RCW State civil service law
- State law – Chapter 49.56 RCW Wages – Advancement Opportunities
- State law - Chapter 49.60 RCW Discrimination - Human Rights Commission
- State rule - Chapter 357-25 WAC Affirmative Action