DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION POLICY (A1510) REDLINED 11-18-2020.PDF

MARICOPA COUNTY INTERNAL POLICY 
 
Policy Title: 
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 
Policy Number: 
A1510 
Current Adoption 
Date: 
11-18-2020 
Current 
Implementation Date: 
11-18-2020 
Approved by: 
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 
Board Agenda 
Number: 
C-31-03-009-3-01 
Original Adoption 
Date: 
07-02-2003 
 
 
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I. 
PurposePURPOSE 
To promotecreate a diverse and inclusive environment thatwhich accepts individual’s’ differences, embraces 
their strengths, fosters inclusion, and helps all staff achieve their full potential productive work environment 
representative of the citizens we serve and reflective of the changing demography of Maricopa County. 
Diversity represents those human qualities that are different from our own and outside of the groups to which 
we personally belong. Diversity incorporates the primary characteristics of age, ethnicity, gender, physical 
abilities and challenges and race. Diversity dimensions also include educational background, geographic 
location, parental status, military experience, religious beliefs and social, economic and political acculturation. 
II. AUTHORITY 
This pPolicy is issued pursuant to A.R.S. §11-251. 
III. APPLICATION 
This Policy applies to all Maricopa County appointed departments as well as the Flood Control District of 
Maricopa County and, the Maricopa County Library District, and the Maricopa County Stadium District (Special 
Districts). The Board of Supervisors is authorized to jointly adopt policies applying to the Special Districts 
under the Intergovernmental Agreement, C-06-18-393-6-00, approved on April 11, 2018. 
 
This Policy also applies to County elected offices unless the elected official has implemented a similar policy 
specific to his or her office. 
IV. DEFINITIONS 
A. Diversity: The collective mixture of differences and similarities of human characteristics including but not 
limited to that include race, gender, religious beliefs, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, 
including transgender status, age, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, physical 
abilities, educational background, geographic location, family and maritalparental status, religious beliefs, and 
social, economic, and political acculturation. 
B. Inclusion: The involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are 
recognized and valued. 
II.V. PolicyPOLICY 
A. Maricopa County strives The foundation of our diversity philosophy is to clearly articulate to both our 
employees and the general public our intention to create a culture that enhances theour ability to hire, 
retain, develop, manage, and promote a diverse workforce. A culture where employees and customers 
are treated with dignity and respectWe will ensure that our employees and customers are treated fairly, 
free from intolerance and discrimination. Employees will beIn managing diversity it is our goal to 
recognized, rewarded, and compensated employees based solely upon the merit of their contributions. 
The significant cultural, social and economic dividends arising from the diversity of our employee base will 
ensure in the future our ability to provide sound government to the residents of Maricopa County.

Policy Title: 
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 
Policy Number: 
A1510 
Current Adoption 
Date: 
11-18-2020 
 
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B.  
III. Authority and Responsibilities: 
A. Accountability for Diversity implementation will be the responsibility of all managers and supervisors and 
will be incorporated into departmental Managing for Results Plans. The Director of Diversity will provide 
specific leadership and guidance for organizing the County’s Diversity Plan and ensuring compliance with 
diversity policies and procedures. The Director of Diversity will report to the Deputy County Administrator and 
assist with the coordination of diversity initiatives into the strategic business goals of Maricopa County.  
C. ProceduresMaricopa County employees to create an inclusive environment that embraces differences 
and fosters inclusion. 
D.B. 
Maricopa County is committed to ensuring: 
1. An environment in which all employees and customers are treated equitably. 
2. Communication is respectful between all employees regardless of title or level. 
3. Insights of all employeesdiverse groups are sought and welcomed; employees are not alienated or 
excluded because they don’t fit into a set of cultural norms. 
4. An environment where employees feel that their background and lifestyle do not affect perceptions of 
them as a professional, or affect their opportunities for development and promotion. 
 
Flexible working practices are available where appropriate, as there is an appreciation that not 
everyone can and will work the same hours or in the same way. This removes disadvantage and 
discrimination to participation in work. 
 
The diversity of our workforce is visible at every level of the organization and in every business area. 
 
Employees are aware of their own unconscious and conscious bias and know how to ensure this does 
not manifest itself at work. 
5.  
 
 
C. It is the responsibility of all Maricopa County employees to create an inclusive environment that embraces 
differences, fosters inclusion, and is free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. Employees are 
expected to adhere to all Maricopa County policies that prohibit discrimination and harassment. 
D. Managers are responsible for recognizing unacceptable behavior and taking immediate appropriate 
action. Employees are responsible for notifying their supervisor, HR liaison, or Central Employee 
Relationsother manager of any concerns with regard to the inappropriate conduct of other employees. 
E. Any employee found to have exhibited any inappropriate conduct or behavior against others may be 
subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. 
E. Responsibility of all employees recognizes that diversity and inclusion are prominent factors that 
can maximize the success of our workplace. Our employees reflect the different cultures, 
backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities inherent in the larger population of the county. Diversity is a 
global vision in today’s marketplace and Maricopa County realizes that by understanding, 
respecting and using creatively the differences of our employees we will continue to meet the 
needs of the citizens we serve.

Policy Title: 
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 
Policy Number: 
A1510 
Current Adoption 
Date: 
11-18-2020 
 
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F. The foundation of our diversity philosophy is to clearly articulate to both our employees and the 
general public our intention to create a culture that enhances our ability to hire, retain, develop, 
manage and promote a diverse workforce. We will ensure that our employees and customers 
are treated fairly, free from intolerance and discrimination. In managing diversity it is our goal to 
recognize, reward and compensate employees based solely upon the merit of their contributions. 
The significant cultural, social and economic dividends arising from the diversity of our employee 
base will ensure in the future our ability to provide sound government to the residents of 
Maricopa County. 
G. Accountability for Diversity implementation will be the responsibility of all managers and 
supervisors and will be incorporated into departmental Managing for Results Plans. The 
Director of Diversity will provide specific leadership and guidance for organizing the County’s 
Diversity Plan and ensuring compliance with diversity policies and procedures. The Director of 
Diversity will report to the Deputy County Administrator and assist with the coordination of 
diversity initiatives into the strategic business goals of Maricopa County. 
 
H.  
 
 
The Director of Diversity will act as Staff Advisor to Maricopa County’s Diversity Task Force. 
Volunteers and nominations will be solicited from all departments and positions to create a 
stratified and diversified membership for the task force. 
The Diversity Task Force will participate in the overall assessment of the County’s needs and 
make recommendations to the Deputy County Administrator and County Administrator for 
incorporation into Maricopa County’s Diversity Plan. 
Maricopa County’s Diversity Plan will be reviewed by the senior staff, e.g. Chiefs and Directors 
throughout the County, and approved by the Deputy County Administrator and the County 
Administrator. 
The Diversity Task Force Chair will be appointed by the County Administrative Officer. 
The Diversity Task Force will meet as often as necessary until at which time the Organizational 
Assessment and Diversity Plan have been finalized. 
The Director of Diversity will be charged with the administrative oversight for all diversity 
initiatives contained in the plan.  
The Director of Diversity will continue to meet periodically with the Diversity Task Force as new 
initiatives and issues emerge to meet the changing business needs of the County. 
The Diversity Plan will be updated at a minimum every two years to reflect the strategies 
contained in departmental Managing for Results Plans. 
The County Administrator may at his discretion convene periodically an AD Hoc Citizens’ 
Committee to increase communications between the County and business and community 
leaders. 
 
Revision History 
Version 
Revision Date 
Description of Revision 
1 
07-02-2003 
Initial version (C-31-03-009-6-00) 
2 
11-18-2020 
Updated title, removed outdated language, updated definitions, and rearranged policy 
language for consistency with the current format. (C-31-03-009-6-01)

Policy Title: 
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION 
Policy Number: 
A1510 
Current Adoption 
Date: 
11-18-2020 
 
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