1. Notice of Non-Discrimination under the Federal Non-Discrimination Laws
The Department of Public Health prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or disability status.
2. Grievance Procedures to Process Discrimination Complaints filed under the Federal Non-Discrimination Laws
General Policy
The Department of Public Health is committed to providing the opportunity for any protected group members to voice and resolve any alleged infringement of Equal Opportunity or Affirmative Action rights that are assured through state or federal guidelines, executive orders and laws. Accordingly, if any individual feels they have been objectively discriminated, they should contact the Investigations Center of Expertise (COE).
Procedure
The Agency Diversity Officer is a highly placed person who partners with the Investigations COE to conduct investigations of agency’s policy violations. While doing so, he/she makes and preserves complaint records and ensures that applicable rules, regulations and laws concerning confidentiality and privacy are respected.
For more information relating to grievance policies and procedures, visit our Affirmative Action Plan:
3. Public Participation
The purpose of the Open Meeting Law is to ensure transparency in the deliberations on which public policy is based. Because the democratic process depends on the public having knowledge about the considerations underlying governmental action, the Open Meeting Law requires, with some exceptions, that meetings of public bodies be open to the public. It also seeks to balance the public’s interest in witnessing the deliberations of public officials with the government’s need to manage its operations efficiently.
Please refer to Massachusetts Open Meeting Law for more information.
4. Meaningful Access to Programs and Activities for Persons with Limited English Proficiency
Please refer to the Office of Access and Opportunity's Language Access Policy and Implementation Guidelines (PDF) for details.
5. Meaningful Access to Programs and Activities for Persons with Disabilities
The Department of Public Health will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, terminations, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. A qualified employee or applicant with a disability is an individual who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job in question.
An individual with a disability is a person who:
- has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
- has a record of such impairment; or
- Is regarded as having such impairment.
The Department of Public Health will make a reasonable accommodation for the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee if it does not impose an undue hardship on the agency.
Learn more about the Department of Public Health ADA Policy on the Affirmative Action Plan: