Section 19-176 General policy.

(a) It is the policy of the city to promote and ensure equal opportunity for all persons (without regard to race, creed, color, marital status, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, handicap, political affiliation or ancestry) employed or seeking employment, using city facilities or being serviced by the city. The policy of equality applies to every aspect of city employment practice and policy involving all activity areas.

(b) The city assures non-discrimination in recruiting, hiring, training, placement, advancement, compensation, working conditions, demotion, layoff and termination.

(c) It is, in addition, the policy of the city to assert leadership within the community and to put forth the maximum effort to achieve non-discriminatory, equal employment opportunities throughout the political jurisdiction of the city. Affirmative action will be taken to make known that equal employment opportunities are available on the basis of the merits of the individual and consistent with the city's goals and timetables for staffing in terms of female and minority representation on the city's work force: striving for a work force in each occupation which corresponds to the actual availability of qualified females and minorities for that job in their respective recruitment area.

(d) Department heads and supervisors are responsible for implementation of this policy and the affirmative action program within their responsibility areas. All applicants and employees shall be expected to be qualified for the position they are seeking, and to indicate through performance, capability of at least acceptably performing assigned duties. Encouragement, information and appropriate on-the-job orientation and training are to be provided to all new employees to assist them in performing their job assignments effectively.

(e) Job placements shall be made by the city manager as delegated to respective department heads. The appointing authorities (director and department heads) shall encourage, and take appropriate affirmative action from the time of job requisition to hiring decision in all job positions to achieve and maintain EEO objectives and goals as rapidly as possible.

(f) While EEO affirmative action shall be considered a top priority, neither shall it unreasonably infringe upon the goal of efficient, productive, continuing public service.