CODE: 4111.1
SECTION: INSTRUCTIONAL AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL
NONDISCRIMINATION/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
The West Milford Board of Education guarantees to all persons equal access to all categories of employment, retention and advancement in this district, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait of any individual or non-applicable disability.
An affirmative action/equity program shall be in effect for all aspects of employment including upgrading; demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation including fringe benefits; employment selection or selection for training and apprenticeships; promotion; or tenure.
The Board-designated affirmative action officer shall identify and recommend correction of any existing inequities, and any that occur in the future. The district Affirmative Action Officer shall devise regulations, including grievance forms and procedures to implement this policy. District staff shall be informed annually of the identity and location of the affirmative action officer and the implementing procedures.
Harassment and Favoritism
The West Milford Board of Education is an affirmative action employer and holds its employees responsible for maintaining a working environment that is free from discriminatory practices. Harassment or favoritism on any basis included in the board's statement of equal access to employment, retention and advancement is prohibited.
Administrators and supervisors shall be familiarized with the actions which constitute harassment and favoritism. This material shall be included in the legally mandated affirmative action in-service training for all employees, and shall be clear and specific.
When harassment has been determined to have taken place, appropriate disciplinary action will follow.
Sexual Harassment
The West Milford Board of Education shall maintain a working environment that is free from sexual harassment.
Administrators and supervisors will make it clear to all staff that sexual harassment is prohibited. No supervisory employee shall threaten or insinuate, either directly or indirectly, that an employee's refusal to submit to sexual advances will adversely affect the employee's continued employment, evaluation, compensation, assignment or advancement. No supervisory employee shall promise or suggest, either directly or indirectly, that an employee's submission to sexual advances will result in any improvement in any term or condition of employment of an employee. Sexually harassing conduct committed by non-supervisory personnel is also prohibited.
Staff may file a formal grievance related to sexual harassment. Complaints may be filed with the employee’s immediate supervisor, vice-principal, principal, the district Affirmative Action Officer, or the Superintendent. All complaints will be promptly and thoroughly investigated and will protect the rights of both the person making the complaint and the alleged harasser.
Findings of discrimination in the form of sexual harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action.
"Whistle blower" Protection
The West Milford Board of Education prohibits discrimination or retaliation against any school employee who does any of the following:
A. Discloses or threatens to disclose to a supervisor or to a public body an activity, policy or practice of the board that the employee reasonably believes is in violation of a law, or a rule or regulation.
B. Provides information to, or testifies before, any public body conducting an investigation, hearing or inquiry into any violation of law, or a rule or regulation ;or
C. Objects to, or refuses to participate in any activity, policy or practice which the employee reasonably believes is in violation of law, rule or regulation; is fraudulent or criminal; or is incompatible with public health, safety or welfare.
The West Milford Board of Education shall ensure that notices are posted conspicuously in each school, informing employees that they are protected under the "Conscientious Employee Protection Act."
First Reading: December 12, 2000
Adopted: December 19, 2000