Employee Handbook 2020

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2B EQUAL EMPLOYMENT POLICY

Policy: Merritt is proud of its tradition of a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Each individual has the right to work in a professional atmosphere which promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discriminatory practices or harassment. In accordance with these principles and applicable laws, it is our policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals, as well as administer any and all personnel actions, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other legally protected characteristic (“Protected Categories”). Acts of discrimination or harassment based on any of these Protected Categories will not be allowed, tolerated, or condoned by Merritt, and may subject you to discipline, up to and including termination of employment. Reasonable Accommodations: • Persons with Disabilities: Merritt is firmly committed to complying with all applicable federal and state legislation designed to ensure equal employment opportunities to persons with disabilities. Merritt prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in regard to all employment practices or terms, conditions and privileges of employment. Consistent with this policy and applicable law, upon an employee’s request, Merritt will make reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of qualified applicants or employees who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on Merritt’s business. • Pregnancy Accommodation Policy: In compliance with applicable law, if a pregnant employee requests an accommodation for a disability or related medical condition caused or contributed to by the pregnancy (including childbirth or related conditions, such as lactation), Merritt will explore reasonable accommodations with the pregnant employee, and it will endeavor to provide a reasonable accommodation unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on Merritt. • Religious Accommodations: Upon request and consistent with its obligations under applicable law, Merritt will also provide reasonable accommodation for an employee’s sincerely-held religious belief, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on Merritt’s business. Any employee seeking an accommodation under this policy should contact Human Resources, which will seek additional appropriate information in accordance with applicable law.

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