INTRODUCTION
     The Department of Employee Rights, Relations and Training is mandated to insure that Rockland County is in compliance with Federal and New York State Human Rights Laws regarding equal opportunity in personnel and employment practices for all individuals.
    
     These laws prohibit discrimination in hiring, firing, promotion, compensation and other employment practices, conditions and privileges of employment, because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, religion, age, disability, prior non-job related criminal record or Vietnam era veteran status.
    
     The Department provides a uniform process for responding to employee complaints of discrimination. It ensures that all County employees are informed of their rights and protections in and around equitable employment practices by conducting on-going programs for employee empowerment, leadership, diversity issues and conflict resolution.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The 1998 Accomplishments for The Department of Employee Rights, Relations and Training is, focused on the "theme" of Continued Improvement towards Total Quality. The accomplishments are as follows:
  • We implemented the Cultural Diversity Training Program entitled, "Building Effective Relationships in a Diverse Work Place." We completed our train-the-trainer workshop and currently have four teams training other County employees
  • To date, we have trained one hundred seventy-seven (177) County employees representing all departments. The compilation of the evaluation forms completed by employees indicates an overwhelmingly positive response to the objectives of the program.
    We have also instituted a monthly support meeting for the training teams in order to give them the opportunity to practice techniques, strategize and raise any concerns they may have.
  • Updated, redesigned and implemented the Sexual Harassment Prevention program used to train County employees. The Department of Employee Rights, Relations and Training worked with the Center For Women in Government at SUNY Albany and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC.) Technical Assistance Office to insure that changes in the law were reflected in the updated curriculum. 
    Trainers representing County departments were selected and trained by the Center For Women in Government to present the updated curriculum. New videos were introduced as part of the curriculum.
  • To date, one hundred fifteen (129) employees have been trained using the new curriculum.
VALUES

     The values that guide us are:

  • Ethical and moral conduct at all times and integrity and responsibility in all our relationships;
  • Excellence in professionalism in carrying out equity, human rights and compliance goals;
  • Innovation in training and focusing on collaboration in conflict resolution as a means of attaining and sustaining leadership;
  • Working in partnership with all levels of employees, unions and external customers to promote human rights and equity goals;
  • Social responsibility to our workforce to promote diversity at all levels and to be inclusive of the community in recruitment practices.
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VISION STATEMENT

     The Department of Employee Rights, Relations and Training is is to be a national leader in providing premier services, information and excellent programs to assure and promote employee rights and equity compliance for our diversified workforce and to be inclusive in recruitment and socially responsible in the community.

     The Department of Employee Rights, Relations and Training is mandated to insure Rockland County is in compliance with equal opportunity for all individuals through personnel and employment practices, which adhere to Federal and New York State Human Rights Laws.
    
     These laws prohibit discrimination in hiring, firing promotion, compensation and other employment practices, conditions and privileges of employment because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, religion, age, disability, prior non-job related criminal record or Vietnam era veteran status.
    
     The Department provides a uniform process for responding to employee complaints of discrimination. In addition, the Department administers and provides ongoing programs for employee empowerment, leadership and conflict resolution.