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Somerset County updates employee handbook, clarifying harassment and whistleblower policies
Summary
County Administrator Tim Curtis briefed commissioners on handbook revisions clarifying sexual‑harassment definitions, quid pro quo and romantic‑relationship guidance, and reiterated that reported claims will be investigated rather than automatically resulting in discipline.
County Administrator Tim Curtis told the Somerset County Commissioners during a workshop that updates to the employee handbook refine harassment definitions and whistleblower protections and emphasize required annual training for county employees. "A Zero Tolerance Policy does NOT mean that people are immediately disciplined or terminated," Curtis said, adding that the county will investigate every observed or reported claim through Human Resources.
The handbook revisions spell out specifics for sexual harassment, clarify quid‑pro‑quo arrangements, and add guidance on romantic relationships between employees, Curtis said. The changes also extend the policy to customers, vendors and contractors and restate standard whistleblower protections for employees disclosing wrongdoing.
