Policy

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) & Non-Discrimination Policy

Policy Statement

“Company Name” is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. It is the policy of this company to provide a workplace free from discrimination and harassment based on any protected characteristic. We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment where every individual is treated with dignity and fairness.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Our dedication to this policy is fundamental to our business and our culture.

Protected Characteristics

“Company Name” strictly prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on any legally protected characteristic under both federal and, specifically, California law.

These protections are broad and apply to all aspects of employment.

Protected characteristics include, but are not limited to:

• Race, color, and ancestry (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, protective hairstyles, and other physical characteristics)
• National origin (including language use restrictions, with specific exemptions for job-related business necessity)
• Religion (including religious dress and grooming practices)
• Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions)
• Gender, gender identity, and gender expression
• Sexual orientation
• Physical or mental disability (including HIV/AIDS and other medical conditions, and a history or record of a physical or mental disability)
• Medical condition (including genetic characteristics, cancer or a record/history of cancer)
• Marital status or domestic partner status
• Genetic information
• Age (40 and over)
• Military and veteran status
• Caste
• Political affiliation
• Family care and medical leave

This policy also extends to protecting individuals from discrimination and harassment based on their association or relationship with someone in a protected category.

Prohibited Conduct

Discrimination, harassment, and retaliation are strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Unfair treatment in any aspect of employment (e.g., denying promotions, providing negative performance reviews, or making unfair pay decisions) based on a protected characteristic.
• Offensive slurs, jokes, or comments related to a protected characteristic, whether they are in person, written (e.g., in emails or notes), or visual (e.g., cartoons, memes).
• Displaying or circulating offensive images, posters, emails, or messages that create a hostile or intimidating work environment.
• Threats, intimidation, or any form of physical or verbal abuse.
• Harassment: Unwelcome verbal, physical, or visual conduct based on a protected characteristic. Harassment is defined as behavior that is severe or pervasive enough to create a hostile, intimidating, or offensive work environment.
• Retaliation against any employee who reports discrimination or harassment, assists in an investigation, or otherwise opposes a discriminatory practice.

Non-Retaliation Policy

“Company Name” will not tolerate any form of retaliation against an employee who, in good faith, reports a violation of this policy, participates in an investigation of a complaint, or opposes discriminatory or harassing conduct. Retaliation includes any adverse action or treatment that would deter a reasonable person from engaging in these protected activities, such as negative performance reviews, demotion, exclusion from meetings or projects, or reassignment. Any form of retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Complaint Procedure

Any employee who believes they have been subjected to discrimination or harassment, or who has witnessed such conduct, is encouraged to immediately report the behavior. Reports can be made to:

• Your direct supervisor or manager
• The Human Resources Department
• Any member of senior management

All reports will be treated with the utmost seriousness and confidentiality to the extent possible, consistent with a thorough and impartial investigation. The investigation will be conducted promptly and will include a review of all relevant documents, interviews with all parties involved, and a determination of appropriate corrective action. An investigation will be conducted promptly, and appropriate corrective action will be taken if a violation of this policy is found. This may include disciplinary action against the offender, up to and including termination of employment.

This complaint procedure does not prevent or limit an employee's right to file a charge with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).