Chapter 3 – Personnel, Training, and Employee Relations

31010.1 Policy

• The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation) is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs)) and creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. Consistent with this commitment, it is the policy of CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation for all applicants, employees, contractors, interns, and volunteers. The CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) policy is a zero-tolerance policy which applies to all aspects of employment within CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfer, training, corrective adverse action, and other terms, conditions, and benefits of employment. Zero tolerance means that violations of this policy shall not be tolerated. When policy violations are found to have occurred, appropriate corrective action and/or adverse action, up to and including dismissal, depending on the severity of the violation, shall be taken. 

• All employees are prohibited from discriminating against or harassing anyone on the basis of their protected status. In addition, all employees are prohibited from engaging in behavior that constitutes biased conduct as defined within this policy.

• The basis for filing an EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) complaint are:

  • Age (40 years old or older)

  • Ancestry

  • Color

  • Disability (physical or mental)

  • Genetic Information

  • Marital Status

  • Medical Condition (cancer or genetic characteristics)

  • National Origin

  • Political Affiliation (includes opinion or activities)

  • Race

  • Religion and/or Religious Creed

  • Sex and/or Gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or medical conditions related thereto, gender, gender identity, and gender expression)

  • Sexual Orientation

  • Veteran Status and/or Military Service

  • Request or usage of leave rights permissible under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), and/or Pregnancy Disability Leave Act.

  • EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) Retaliation: All employees are prohibited from retaliating against any person based on the person:

• All employees are prohibited from aiding or coercing any acts forbidden under this policy.

• All employees are prohibited from engaging in behavior that rises to the level of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation in violation of: 

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (including amendments)

  • California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) of 1959 (including amendments)

  • California Code of Regulations (Titles 2 and 15)

  • Penal Code section 2605(d)

  • Departmental EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) policies and procedures

  • Other California and federal EEOEqual Employment Opportunity Office (see Office of Internal Affairs) laws

• This policy applies to conduct that occurs in any location operated by CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation or is considered a workplace by CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, as well as any location that can reasonably be regarded as an extension of the workplace, such as an off-site business or social function, or other non-CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation facility where CDCRCalifornia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation business is being conducted. This policy also applies to conduct that occurs off-duty and is brought back to the workplace, when such conduct adversely affects a protected individual or the workplace in a manner otherwise prohibited by this policy.