Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities 

Affirmative Action Policy Statement

Pursuant to Connecticut Agency Regulations Section 46a-68-78

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities acknowledges the purpose and need for affirmative action and establishes both affirmative action and equal employment opportunity as immediate and necessary objectives of this agency.

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and we fully intend to overcome all barriers to equal employment to achieve the full and fair participation of all protected groups, regardless of age, race, ancestry, religious creed, color, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), genetic information, gender identity and expression, marital status, sexual orientation, mental disability (past and present), national origin, intellectual impairment, learning disability or physical disability, including but not limited to blindness, criminal record, veteran status, and workplace hazards to reproductive systems who are found to be under-utilized in our workforce, or affected by policies or practices having an adverse impact on these groups.

Accordingly, for each protected class of persons subject to equal employment opportunity, the agency's policies and objectives shall be in direct compliance with all federal and state constitutional provisions, laws, regulations, guidelines and executive orders that prohibit or outlaw discrimination and shall be considered to be part of this policy statement.

The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities fully endorses both the letter and spirit of these laws, regulations, guidelines, and executive orders and pledges to faithfully implement an aggressive policy of affirmative action and equal employment opportunity to provide services and implement programs impartially and fairly in all phases of the employment process, by ensuring that:

• Employment specifications require only necessary and legal information.
• Job specifications are reviewed periodically to ensure that they reflect only bona fide job qualifications.
• Efforts are made (wherever possible) to provide experience-based alternatives to the standard education-based minimum qualifications.
• Qualified persons from protected groups are actively recruited through the State Personnel System, DOL Job Center offices, and by enlisting the assistance of community-based organizations, and colleges and universities.

Personnel policies follow the letter and the spirit of all affirmative action and equal employment opportunity mandates, and in no way discriminate against any person or groups of persons. Job classifications are continuously evaluated and restructured when applicable to make sure they do not present artificial barriers to any protected group. All new employees receive orientation in all phases of their job, the department and its policies.

Training is designed to further the skills and knowledge necessary for all members of the agency's workforce to achieve higher level positions. All staff is fully informed of their rights and benefits during diversity training sessions, via the Employee Handbook, and during individual consultations with the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer and/or their Human Resources Specialist. These rights and benefits include, but are not limited to, the right to equal terms and conditions of employment; equal opportunity for promotion and training; the right to a fair and impartial performance evaluation; the right to reasonable accommodation of a disability; the right to receive individual counseling from the EEO Officer; the right to file a complaint, including the processes and procedures to do so; and the right to expect that layoffs and terminations are effectuated in accordance with established guidelines of affirmative action and equal employment opportunity within the structures of collective bargaining agreements. In keeping with this policy, we recognize the hiring difficulties experienced by the physically disabled and by many older persons, and we shall continue to place special emphasis on the elimination of such difficulties to assure the full and fair utilization of such person in our workforce.

Affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are agency-wide priorities, and will remain so until our goals are met for all categories of employees, regardless of classification. The agency is equally committed to ensuring that all programs, services or activities administered are rendered on an equal employment opportunity basis.

To these ends, I have designated Muriel Carpentier, EEO Specialist 1, Department of Labor to be responsible for ensuring that this policy is implemented. The Office of Diversity and Equity Programs is located at the Connecticut Department of Labor, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109, and telephone number (860) 263-6520.

As the Executive Director, I have the ultimate responsibility for the development, implementation, and monitoring of the agency’s affirmative action plan. I pledge to provide all resources necessary to guarantee that affirmative action prevails as a working principle in all our policies and practices, and that I am committed to achieving the goals within the timetable set forth in this Plan.

Tanya A. Hughes, Executive Director

Revised, July 23, 2020