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Resolution Adopting Executive Order Number One (2018), "Equal Opportunity"

Date of Current Revision or Creation: April 21, 2023
Approved: June 20, 1990; Revised April 7, 1994; Revised June 12, 2014; Revised April 26, 2018; Reaffirmed April 21, 2023
Scheduled Review Date: April 2023

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RESOLVED, that upon the recommendation of the president, the Board of Visitors adopts as policy the Governor's Executive Order Number One (2018), "EQUAL OPPORTUNITY" as stated below:

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

Importance of the Initiative

By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby declare that it is the firm and unwavering policy of the Common­wealth of Virginia to assure equal opportunity in all facets of state government. The foundational tenet of this Executive Order is premised upon a steadfast commitment to foster a culture of inclusion, diversity, and mutual respect for all Virginians.

This policy specifically prohibits discrimina­tion on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, politi­cal affiliation, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. The policy permits appropriate employment preferences for veterans and specifically prohibits discrimination against veterans.

State appointing authorities and other management principals are hereby directed to take affirmative measures, as determined by the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management, to emphasize the recruitment of qualified minorities, women, disabled persons, and older Virginians to serve at all levels of state government. This directive does not permit or require the lowering of bona fide job requirements, performance standards, or qualifica­tions to give preference to any state employee or applicant for state employment.

Allegations of violations of this policy shall be brought to the attention of the Office of Equal Employment Services of the Depart­ment of Human Resource Management. No state appointing authority, other management principals, or supervisors shall take retaliatory actions against persons making such allegations.

Any state employee found in violation of this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

The Secretary of Administration is directed to review and update annually state procurement, employment and other relevant policies to ensure compliance with the non-discrimination mandate contained herein, and shall report to the Governor his or her findings together with such recommendations as he or she deems appropriate. This review shall ensure that state procurement policies fully implement and align with the non-discrimination directives in the Virginia Public Procurement Act, including its prohibitions on discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, status as a service disabled veteran, or any other basis prohibited by state law relating to discrimination in employment. The Director of the Department of Human Resource Management shall assist in this review.

No state employee or agent within the Executive Branch may engage in discrimination in the provision of public services based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability, or veteran status. Any state employee or agent who engages in such discrimination will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. The Department of Human Resource Management is directed to promulgate, review and update appropriate policies in the Commonwealth's Standards of Conduct to implement these requirements in accordance with any other applicable laws and regulations.

This Executive Order supersedes and rescinds Executive Order No. 1 (2014), Equal Employment Opportunity, issued by Terence R. McAuliffe on January 11, 2015.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

This Executive Order shall become effective upon its signing and will remain in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by further executive order.

Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia this 13th day of January, 2018.

Ralph S. Northam, Governor