A Call For Ethical Standards: Corruption In Orange County the amount of $175,000 for two violations of campaign finance

R1

The County Human Resource Services Department shall prepare and publish policies, procedures, and guidelines related to all employee complaints and how they are investigated. Special attention, or separate policies, should be published for complaints related to discrimination and harassment to ensure they meet the Employer Responsibilities outlined in state and federal statute. If 2012 – 2013 Orange County Grand Jury The Culture Of Harassment: Change On The Horizon necessary, the County Human Resource Services Department should utilize the services of outside companies specializing in human resource matters. The Human Resource Services Department should develop, approve, and publish the policies and procedures The Board of Supervisors should support this effort with adequate funding. (F1)

R2

All County employees and elected County officials shall undergo training on discrimination and harassment. At a minimum, all employees classified as supervisors and above should receive in-person training every two years, as well as have access to on-line training. The Board of Supervisors, and any other elected County officials, should participate in the in-person training at a minimum of once every two years. The Board of Supervisors should support this effort with adequate funding. (F2)

R3

The County Human Resource Services Department should develop specific training schedules for all of its personnel to ensure consistency in addressing County employee issues. The training should be ongoing and include both internal and external sources. Additional and specific training should be given to those in charge of investigating complaints. (F3)

R4

The County Human Resource Services Department shall re-write the job qualifications for any position of supervisor and above in the Human Resource Services Department to include mandatory certification, schooling, or equivalent experience in the human resource field. (F4)

R5

The Human Resource Services Department, with input from County Counsel shall draft policies, procedures, and guidelines for all agencies and departments on handling the reporting of potential criminal conduct by County employees. (F5)

R6

The Human Resource Services Department should install a confidential communication source for employees who want to file complaints relating to discrimination or harassment with anonymity. The system should include multiple access paths such as mail, phone, fax, or email. Notification of this new County service should be accompanied by a vigorous email campaign and announcements by senior County management in meetings and their communications to their staff. Posters identifying how an employee can file a confidential complaint should be permanently posted in appropriate locations. The Board of Supervisors should support this effort with adequate funding. (F6)

R7

The Board of Supervisors, in conjunction with the office of the CEO, the Human Resource Services Department, and with input on legal perspectives from County Counsel, shall initiate a formal outreach program for persons who have experienced discrimination or sexual harassment. The outreach should include counseling, if wanted, and an assessment of possible retaliation against any of the victims. (F7) 2012 – 2013 Orange County Grand Jury The Culture Of Harassment: Change On The Horizon

R8

The Board of Supervisors and the Office of the CEO will define and implement a series of steps to affirm their leadership in achieving a harassment free workplace: (F8) a. Refresh the current board resolution so that it contains clear complaint handling protocols. b. Evaluate whether a policy on office relationships is appropriate for the County especially when it concerns managers and subordinates. c. Display a more pro-active voice, more than once a year, on delivering the message that having a harassment free environment is important. d. Evaluate hiring/training discrimination and harassment contact officers. e. Discontinue negative comments on anonymous complaints. f. Personally attend different County department meetings that provide opportunities to express the County commitment to a harassment free workplace.