Equity and Employee Relations

The Office of Equity and Employee Relations, housed within the Department of Human Resources, advises and guides the Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) community on policies, regulations, and practices related to compliance issues.Additionally, the Office of Equity andEmployee Relationsensures that an equal and diverse PWCS community is available to all qualified individuals on a nondiscriminatory and non-harassment basis.
Non-Discrimination
The nondiscrimination statement of the Prince William County Public Schools is:
Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) does not discriminate in employment or in its educational programs and activities against qualified individuals on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. PWCS provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Contact Information
For More Information and Inquires:
Office of Equity and Employee Relations
Prince William County Public Schools
Department of Human Resources
PO Box 389
Manassas, Virginia 20112
Tanisha Holland,Compliance Officer
703.791.8071
Fax: 703.791.8033
Office Location:
Edward L. Kelly Leadership Center
14715 Bristow Road
Manassas, Virginia 20112

Grievance Process

A grievance is a complaint or a dispute by an employee relating to his/her employment. The grievance process is a formal means to resolve a dispute between an employee and administrative employees.

Specific policy links related to grievances are:
Policy 508.01 - Procedures for Adjusting Grievances for Certificated Employees
Policy 508.02 - Procedures for Adjusting Grievances for Administrative and Classified Employees

Workplace Harassment Prevention

Treatment of Individuals or Groups - Prejudice and Discrimination
Harassment
According to Wikipedia (2012), harassment is a repetitive action with the intent to disturb or upset a targeted individual or group. Forms of harassment can be legal, sexual, verbal, or psychological in nature.
Workplace Harassment
Workplace harassment is any unwelcome/unwanted conduct belittling or showing hostility toward aprotected legal categoryand a form of discrimination violating federal laws. Harassment becomes unlawful when unwelcome/unwanted conduct is so pervasive that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, and abusive or a supervisor's harassing conduct results in a tangible change in an employee's employment status or benefits -demotion, pay cut, reduced hours, etc. When harassment becomes so apparent that it interferes with an employee's work performance or creates an intimidating or offensive work environment, the workplace is considered hostile. Anyone can be affected by a hostile workplace, not just the victim.
Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome/unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and is subject to laws associated with discrimination.Whether intentional or not, anyone affected by offensive conduct can claim sexual harassment.
For specific assistance with any form of harassment, contact he Office of Equity & Employee Relationsat 703.791.8071 or.
Retaliation

The School Division expressly prohibits retaliation against anyone engaging in protected activity. Anti-discrimination laws prohibit harassment against individuals in retaliation for filing a discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or lawsuit under these laws; or opposing employment practices that they reasonably believe discriminate against individuals, in violation of these laws.
Discrimination- and Harassment-free Workplace

Any personnel acting in a supervisory role is responsible for maintaining a workplace free of harassment and discrimination and will take immediate and appropriate action reasonably calculated to end the harassment upon witnessing or receiving report(s) of harassment. Supervisors should immediately consult with theOffice of Equity and Employee Relationsfor appropriate action once they know about potential harassment and/or discrimination.
Any personnel acting in a supervisory role who engages in harassment and/or discriminatory conduct will be investigated once it is made known to the Office of Equity and Employee Relations. Employees and applicants have a responsibility to refrain from engaging in any behavior that violates this policy while at work and during work-related functions. Employees who experience or observe any job-related harassment or believe they have been treated in a discriminatory manner are expected to report the incident(s) to management in order to correct and prevent further harassment.