Policy/Personnel Committee recommends EEO/anti-discrimination policy to full Board

The Manistee County Policy/Personnel Committee recommended that the full Board consider adoption of an updated Equal Employment Opportunity/Anti-Discrimination Policy at its next meeting. Julie Griffis, the county HR Generalist, presented the policy and outlined complaint and investigation timelines the county intends to follow if the Board approves it.

"The HR Generalist serves as the County's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer and is responsible for administering and overseeing the EEO Program," Griffis said, describing duties that include collecting employment data, monitoring practices and reporting progress. The written policy text presented to the committee emphasizes non-retaliation, investigative timelines (acknowledgement within five business days and efforts to complete investigations within 30 calendar days), and supervisory training not less than annually.

The committee voted to recommend the policy to the full Board. Commissioner Eric Gustad moved the recommendation, Commissioner Shayne Machen seconded it, and the committee recorded "Ayes: All; Motion Carried." No dissent or abstention was recorded. If the Board approves the policy, staff would implement the monitoring steps and training schedule described in the document.

The policy document supplied as Appendix A to the committee packet contains the full text of the proposed EEO policy, including the county's stated scope, an outline of administrative leave during investigations, and procedures for dissemination and recruitment language such as using "Equal Opportunity Employer" in job postings. The committee took no further action beyond forwarding the recommendation to the full Board.