The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County
Freddie O'Connell, Mayor
Executive Order 23
Subject: Training of all employees of the Metropolitan Government in diversity issues and sexual harassment awareness and prevention
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County to prohibit discrimination against individuals or groups of individuals, because of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age or handicap; and
WHEREAS, sexual harassment, a form a sex discrimination, is also prohibited; and
WHEREAS, section 11.20.130 of the Metropolitan Code makes it unlawful for the Metropolitan Government to fail or refuse to hire or promote, or to discharge any individual, because of such individual’s race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability; and
WHEREAS, Civil Service Policy 3.1-I provides that harassment of any person in the form of verbal or physical conduct based on a person’s race, gender, color, religion, national origin or disability, creed, gender identity, or sexual orientation will not be condoned when such conduct:
a. Has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment;
b. Has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance; or
c. Otherwise adversely affects an individual's opportunities associated with employment; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Government is interested in having all of its employees receive training on diversity issues and sexual harassment awareness and prevention; and
WHEREAS, the training of all employees of the Metropolitan Government is imperative in order to help limit the government's exposure to liability.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Freddie O’Connell, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby find, direct, and order the following:
1. Training Program. The Metropolitan Department of Personnel, with the assistance of the Metropolitan Department of Law, and in consultation with the Human Relations Commission, shall maintain a program on diversity issues and sexual harassment awareness and prevention and maintain a plan on presenting this program to all employees of the Metropolitan Government. Such training shall include information about the Metropolitan Government’s policy not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, color, age, and/or disability.
2. Employee Training. All employees of the Metropolitan Government are required to participate and complete the diversity and sexual harassment awareness and prevention training seminar(s) that shall be conducted under the direction of the Metropolitan Department of Personnel.
3. Persons Covered. This training directive shall apply to all employees of the Metropolitan Government except: employees of Nashville Electric Service, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metropolitan Sports Authority, Metropolitan Hospital Authority, non-professional employees of the Board of Health, and elected officials.
I hereby request that Nashville Electric Service, Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Metropolitan Sports Authority, and the Metropolitan Hospital Authority develop a similar training program and require that the employees under their authority receive diversity and sexual harassment awareness and prevention training.
I further request that elected officials and non-professional employees of the Board of Health require that the employees under their authority receive the diversity and sexual harassment awareness and prevention training provided by the Department of Personnel.
4. Supervisors and Employees Responsible. Each employee of the Metropolitan Government who acts in a supervisory capacity is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Executive Order by those persons in his or her line of authority, from primary supervisor up through the department head. While it is the primary supervisor’s responsibility to ensure employees are given access, time, and means to complete this training, each employee is responsible for its completion as well.
5. Implementation Schedule. The Department of Personnel shall be responsible for providing this training to each new employee of the Metropolitan Government.
Ordered, Effective and Issued: January 17, 2024
Freddie O’Connell
Metropolitan County Mayor