“IT’S ABOUT OPPORTUNITY” CITY OF GAINESVILLE CITIZEN ACADEMY OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

WHO WE ARE Torey Alston Equal Opportunity Director (Charter Officer)  Gwendolyn D. Saffo, Affirmative Action Manager & Chief Investigator  Tom Bledsoe, Compliance Investigator  Sylvia Warren, Small, Minority & Veteran Business Procurement Program Coordinator  Zanorfa Lynch, Equal Opportunity Office Coordinator  Sue Brown, Equal Opportunity Assistant

VISION & MISSION OUR VISION “Committed to leading the way as a resource by making a difference for all citizens, employees and visitors in the City of Gainesville.” OUR MISSION “To ensure equal opportunity/equal access to employment, housing, public accommodations and credit within the Gainesville city limits without regard to individuals’ sexual orientation, race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, marital status, disability or gender identity; and to work to ensure the City’s workforce is diverse and well trained.”

Our Role  The City’s Responsibility  Proactive Prevention  Community Relations and Outreach  Proficient Enforcement  Policy Development & Monitoring of Laws  Affirmative Action  Small, Minority & Veterans Business Procurement Program  Other Initiatives for Enhancing Diversity

THE CITY’S RESPONSIBILITY  Be a Resource  Communicate organization’s policies on prevention of discrimination  Seek both internal(employees) & external(citizens) stakeholder involvement  Provide environment free of intimidation, hostility and/or discrimination  Take corrective action when necessary  Hold individuals accountable for their actions

Proactive Prevention  Policy Development & Enhancement  Diversity Training for All Employees  Preventing Harassment & Discrimination  Diversity/Affirmative Action Work Plan Training  Gainesville Enrichment Mentoring Initiative  Targeted Departmental Training  (as requested & necessary)

Community Relations and Outreach  City of Gainesville Job Fair  Mayor’s Community Response Council  Fair Housing Awareness Events  ADA Awareness Events  Annual Employment Law Seminar  Tabling At Events  OEO Website & Social Media  Radio/TV

PROFICIENT ENFORCEMENT WHAT IS DISCRIMINATION?  Basing employment decisions on illegal basis instead of on merit, experience, and qualifications.  Protected Classes: Race; Color; Religion; Gender; National Origin; Age; Disability; Marital Status; Sexual Orientation; Gender Identity;(Retaliation)  Applies to all aspects of employment:  Hiring; Terms and conditions; Benefits and privileges; Post employment

LAWS & POLICY GUIDANCE THESE LAWS AND POLICIES APPLY TO BOTH EMPLOYEES & CITIZENS  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964  Florida Statutes-Chapter 760  City of Gainesville Code of Ordinances (Chapter 8)  City of Gainesville Equal Opportunity Policies 1-8

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION  An Affirmative Action plan is a management tool designed to ensure equal employment opportunity and over time, the workforce will generally reflect the gender, racial, and ethnic profile of the labor pools reflective of the community.  The City administers two plans which focus on the underutilization of minorities and women in the workforce:  General Government and Gainesville Regional Utilities  Workforce Analysis by Departments  Job Group Analysis  Availability Analysis  Comparison of Incumbency and Availability Analysis  Placement Goals Analysis

SMALL, MINORITY & VETERAN BUSINESS PROCUREMENT PROGRAM We understand that local small businesses support the City of Gainesville's overall economic development and the City is committed to your success, growth and development.  To help local small businesses be more successful, the City has adopted the Small, Minority, and Service- Disabled Veteran Business Program.  This program provides significant opportunities for qualified local small businesses to participate on a nondiscriminatory basis in all aspects of the City's contracting and procurement programs as well as providing other needed business services.

OTHER INITIATIVES FOR ENHANCING DIVERSITY & INCLUSION  Equal Opportunity Diversity Advisory Committee  Citizens Disability Advisory Committee  Dismantling Prejudices & Biases Initiative

OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY QUESTIONS? “IT’S ABOUT OPPORTUNITY”