The County Code, Chapter 27, Article II, Section 27-30, states that no employee of the County "…shall be discriminated against in violation of any applicable state or Federal law, rule or regulation which may now or hereafter specifically prohibit discrimination on such grounds as race, creed, color, political affiliation, physical handicap when otherwise qualified, veterans status, age, marital status, cancer-related medical condition or sexual orientation."

In Chapter 2, Article XIII, the County Code provides that the Board of Supervisors may terminate contracts and agreements entered into by the County when it is found that the contractor or other party to an agreement is discriminating or has discriminated against any person in violation of applicable Federal or State laws, rules, or regulations which prohibit discrimination on such grounds as race, religion, sex, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, Vietnam era veteran or disabled, age, medical condition, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, or other legally protected status.

In 1982, the Board also adopted Resolution 82-537 establishing a sexual harassment prevention policy and designating responsibility for its implementation.

State laws that prohibit discrimination include the following: The California Fair Employment and Housing Act; the Unruh Civil Rights Act; the Ralph Civil Rights Act; the California Family Rights Act; and the California Labor Code Sec. 1101-1106 . The Department of Fair Employment and Housing generally enforces California non-discrimination laws.

Federal laws prohibiting discrimination include: the Equal Pay Act of 1963 ; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ; Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; and the Civil Rights Act of 1991. These laws are generally enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission .

Other Federal protections include: The Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972 ; The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 sections 501 and 505 ; and the Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Act of 1974 .

These policies serve as the basis for many of the activities of the Equal Opportunity Office. You can read more about them by following the links.

What is discrimination?
Discrimination is unfair treatment or denial of normal privileges to persons because of their “protected class status.”

What is protected class status? Protected class status is a person’s race, color, ethnic group, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, medical condition, disability, and/or veteran status.

What should I do if I feel I have been a victim of discrimination?
If you have an issue with a coworker you should, if possible, put that coworker “on notice” by letting the coworker know that his/her behavior is offensive. If discussing or resolving the matter with your co-worker is not an option, then inform your supervisor of the problem or you may go directly to your Department Head to file a complaint or to report an incident of discrimination. You have the right to file your complaint with the person, (e.g., a supervisor, manager or department head) with whom you are most comfortable. You may also file your complaint directly with the Equal Employment Opportunity Office.

What if I know someone who is being discriminated against, but doesn't want anyone to know?
Report it immediately. You should report it to either your supervisor, manager, department head or the Equal Employment Opportunity Office.