§ 5.10.020. Purpose.

A.

To foster an environment in every county department in which:

1.

Groups, as well as individuals, are appreciated for their differences and treat each other with respect;

2.

Employees understand and appreciate the heritage and culture of many different groups and are responsive to the uniqueness of each individual;

3.

Individuals reach beyond their own experience to appreciate and work effectively with people different from themselves;

4.

All employees reach their full potential in pursuit of organization objectives.

B.

Los Angeles County's work force has, for some time, reflected the multicultural community that we serve. We recognize that diversity includes more than race, gender, age and nationality and that valuing diversity requires both a change in the way we do business and how we interact with each other. Valuing diversity requires changes in policies and practices to the point of changing the culture of our county organizations.

C.

We believe that a diverse work force provides advantages both internally, in terms of the human resources potential offered by a variety of diverse perspectives, and externally, in increasing the county's ability to serve an equally diverse community. In order to treat people fairly and provide equal opportunity, county departments must seek to accommodate and learn from the different perspectives and values that characterize diverse employees and clients.

(Ord. 95-0062 § 1 (part), 1995.)