Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Policy
Policy approved by The Seattle Public Library board of trustees.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility Policy
BACKGROUND
The Seattle Public Library is committed to creating and retaining a workforce that gives open expression to the Library's organizational values and brings a rich diversity of people and talents to the accomplishment of its Mission. The collective sum of our employees' individual differences, ethnic backgrounds, life experiences, self-expression, unique capabilities, and talents and knowledge -- whether through schooling or self-education -- represents our organization's respect for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and awareness of the role diversity plays in responding to the needs and interests of our patrons and community.
POLICY STATEMENT
The Library is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. This commitment extends to all areas of employment and to all other personnel actions. These include recruitment, selection and placement, compensation, promotion and transfer, tuition assistance, social and recreational programs, disciplinary and corrective action measures, demotions, terminations, layoffs, recalls, training, working conditions, awards and benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.
In addition to its own efforts, the Library participates in the city's affirmative action program and is responsible for administering, monitoring and reporting on a periodic basis the results of this program. The Executive Director and Chief Librarian assigns enforcement of this policy and reporting to the Library's Human Resources (HR) Director. The Human Resources Director serves as Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer and ensures the Library's compliance with all applicable municipal, state and federal laws. The Human Resources Director will report these results to the Executive Director and Chief Librarian and the Library board of trustees on an annual basis.
The Library board of trustees authorizes the Executive Director and Chief Librarian to enforce and implement this policy.
Legal Notice
The Library is committed to providing a workplace environment free of discrimination. The Library is committed to an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policy that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, political ideology, age, creed, veteran's status, religion, ancestry, national origin or the presence of any sensory, physical or mental disability.
Nothing contained in this policy should be construed as an admission by the Library, in whole or in part, that it has contravened such federal, state or local employment laws. In developing and implementing this policy, the Library has been guided by its established practice of providing equal employment opportunity. Any placement goals that the Library has established are not intended as rigid or inflexible quotas that must be met. Rather, they are used as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the composition of the workforce compared to the relevant labor pools from which the Library recruits. The use of placement goals in this policy are not intended to discriminate against an individual or group of individuals with respect to any employment opportunity for which they are qualified. Nothing in either this policy or any related policies or administrative procedures is intended to permit the discriminatory treatment of any person.
APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all employees of The Seattle Public Library.
RELATED LAWS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Board Policy, Nondiscrimination: Complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Administrative Procedure, Implementing Workforce Diversity and Inclusion.
Seattle Municipal Code (SMC), Chapter 14.04, Fair Employment Practices.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) Chapter 49.60, Washington Law Against Discrimination.
29 United States Code (U.S.C.) Chapter 8, § 206, Equal Pay Act of 1963.
29 U.S.C. Chapter 14, § 621, Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
29 U.S.C. Chapter 16, § 701, Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
38 U.S.C. Part III, § 4212, Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974.
38 U.S.C. Part III, § 4301, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.
42 U.S.C. Chapter 21, Civil Rights Act of 1964.
42 U.S.C. Chapter 21, § 2000e(k), Pregnancy Disability Act.
42 U.S.C. Chapter 126, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
HISTORY
Date Adopted: October 26, 2021
Supersedes Policies: Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action adopted Jan. 17, 1977 and Diversity adopted Sept. 26, 2000.