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Select Board adopts personnel-policy addendum after 3–2 vote over discrimination wording
Summary
The board approved an addendum to the town personnel policy that enumerates protected classes and states employees should be free from discrimination; two members voted against the language they said was too broad and could invite litigation.
The West Swanzey Select Board voted 3–2 to adopt a personnel-policy addendum that enumerates protected classes and adds a sentence intended to ensure employees work in an environment "free from all forms of discrimination, intimidation and harassment, including sexual harassment."
During discussion, several board members asked that the clause be tightened so the phrase "all forms of discrimination" clearly referred back to the enumerated protected classes (race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex including pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status). One select board member said the broad language could be interpreted to include non-protected characteristics and might be vulnerable to legal challenge; another said the list already defined the intended protections and that the sentence reflected the town's commitment to a respectful workplace.
After debate the board took a roll-call style vote recorded in the meeting as a 3–2 majority in favor of the addendum, effective April 1. The chair called the motion carried; dissenting board members noted they reserved the right to dissent should litigation arise over the clause.
The board asked the town attorney to review the language as part of the policy implementation process; staff will circulate the adopted policy and return with any attorney edits if needed.
