Speaker asks council to consider a local 'Dignity at Work' ordinance to protect employees from harassment and retaliation

Michelle Hicks used the public-comment period to urge the council to bring a "Dignity at Work Act" to Cleveland that would provide remedies for workers who are targets of workplace harassment, create incentives for employers to prevent and remedy abusive behavior, and protect individuals who complain about unlawful discriminatory conduct.

Hicks cited federal and state laws prohibiting discriminatory conduct and retaliation, and argued that current enforcement gaps leave employees without effective remedies when conduct cannot be shown to be motivated by discrimination under existing standards. She asked council to pursue local remedies that would expand protections and incentives for employers to detect and eliminate workplace harassment.

The request was presented as public comment; no ordinance text or formal referral was introduced by council at the Oct. 27 meeting. The comment was recorded for council consideration as a public-policy suggestion.