41 C.F.R. Section 60-741.44(a); 60-300.44(a)

The employment policy of Volunteers of America Upstate New York is to provide equal opportunity to all persons. Our company, therefore, has made a commitment to equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing affirmative action program. No employee or applicant for employment will be discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes.

Volunteers of America Upstate New York will recruit, hire, train and promote qualified individuals in all job titles, and ensure that all other personnel actions are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, military and/or veteran status, or disability in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, which require affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. Volunteers of America Upstate New York does not discriminate on the basis of national origin or citizenship status as provided under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

To further implement these policies, Volunteers of America Upstate New York will continue to:
A. Base decisions on employment so as to further the principle of equal employment opportunity;
B. Ensure that promotion decisions are in accordance with the principles of equal employment opportunity by imposing only valid requirements for promotional opportunities;
C. Ensure that all personnel actions (including but not limited to compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, return from layoffs, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, social and recreational programs) are administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, military and/or veteran status, or any other Federal or State legally-protected classes.

Employees and applicants shall not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion, or discrimination because they have engaged in or may engage in any of the following activities:
A. Filing a complaint;
B. Assisting or participating in an investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of affirmative action and equal opportunity regulations;
C. Opposing any act or practice made unlawful by affirmative action and equal opportunity regulations, including Federal, State, and local law;
D. Exercising any other right protected by affirmative action and equal opportunity regulations.

Maria Dewhirst, VP of Human Resources, has been designated EEO Coordinator and is responsible for compliance with State and Federal equal employment opportunity laws, and for implementing the affirmative action program, including equal employment practices, monitoring, and internal reporting. Employees believing they have not been treated in accordance with this policy are encouraged to contact Maria Dewhirst at 585-698-5498, during regular business hours. The affirmative action plan is available for review at Maria Dewhirst’s office during regular business hours by appointment. Employees and applicants wishing to self-identify as a protected veteran or individual with disability, including voluntarily updating their disability status, or to request a reasonable accommodation necessary for the performance of the essential functions of a job, may do so by contacting Maria Dewhirst.

This policy statement has the support of the President and CEO, Dr. Junior Dillion. Equal employment opportunity and affirmative action are not only the law but are principles of Volunteers of America Upstate New York and require maximum cooperation from every employee throughout our organization.