Q. What if I feel I have been discriminated against? Do I have to notify my manager first?
A. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or marital status. Employees are encouraged to report complaints of this type through their chain of command. If you are not comfortable in doing so, you may contact your departmental HR Coordinator, central HR/Employee Relations Division or OPS. OPS investigates all types of allegations involving discrimination. Issues involving discrimination are investigated based on the requirements of County Policies, Administrative Regulations, the Florida Civil Rights Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Q. What if I have a complaint about sexual harassment? Do I have to first report it to my manager?
A. If you report a sexual harassment complaint to your manager it will be forwarded to OPS. OPS investigates all types of harassment, including sexual harassment and hostile work environment. If you wish to make a formal complaint of sexual harassment/harassment, OPS will determine if the Department should follow-up with you or make arrangements to meet with the you (the Complainant) as soon as practical. An OPS staff member will usually discuss the aspects of the complaint with you to clarify the issues before recording an interview and initiating a formal complaint. Applicants, citizens or vendors who believe they have been subjected to acts of sexual harassment, or have witnessed alleged acts of sexual harassment by employees of the BCC, should file a formal complaint immediately with OPS so that the matter can be investigated.

Q. If I file a complaint with OPS, does that mean that I have also filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)?
A. No. OPS's administrative investigation is by no means intended to deny a person making the complaint their opportunity or right to file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Florida Commission on Human Relations (FCHR).