Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the duty of the Department of Corrections to be in compliance with Governor Timothy M. Kaine's Executive Order Number One dated January 14, 2006. This order assures all State employees and applicants for State employment of the right to be treated fairly and equally and to work in an environment free of discrimination and harassment.
(view the Executive Order - external website)

Employment decisions covered by Executive Order Number One include, but are not limited to the following: hiring, transfer, regular or overtime compensation, layoff or return from layoff, demotion, termination, and training.

The Department shall make all employment decisions based on one's merits and qualifications and specifically prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, retaliation, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, and persons with disabilities, except when age or sex is a bona fide occupational qualification. Furthermore, the Department will not permit the lowering of job requirements, performance standards, or qualifications, which would give preference to any employee or applicant for employment.

In keeping with the principles of Executive Order Number One, the Department's Unit Heads, managers and supervisors shall adhere to positive affirmative action measures and the Department is committed to providing training consistent with these principles. These measures include the recruitment of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities and older persons to serve at all levels within the Department. It is the responsibility of these managers and supervisors to maintain a non-hostile, bias free working environment and to ensure that employees are free from harassment of any kind. Managers and supervisors shall be observant and attentive in the workplace to ensure that sexual harassment does not exist.

If an employee or applicant for employment believes that the Executive Order Number One has been violated, he or she needs to bring their complaint to the immediate attention of their supervisor, Human Resource Officer, Unit Head, Department's Human Resources or other agencies listed in Department Procedure 101.2 (formerly Procedure 5-2), which provides specific guidelines for the filing of complaints. The matter will be investigated and any employee found in violation of this statement or the Governor's Executive Order Number One, shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action under the Standards of conduct.