Executive Order 187: Ensuring Diversity and Inclusion and Combating Harassment and Discrimination in the Workplace

In order to promote more effective, complete and timely investigation of complaints of employment-related protected class discrimination in agencies and departments over which the Governor has executive authority, Executive Order 187 transferred the responsibility for conducting investigations of all employment-related discrimination complaints to the Office of Employee Relations (OER). These investigations include complaints filed by employees, contractors, interns and other persons engaged in employment at these agencies and departments concerning discrimination, retaliation and harassment under Federal and New York State law, Executive Orders and policies of the State of New York.

All complaints of protected class employment-related discrimination will be investigated by OER’s Anti-Discrimination Investigations Division (ADID).

To find out more about protections available to you as a New York State employee, go to the Equal Employment Opportunity In New York State Rights and Responsibilities, A Handbook for Employees of New York State Agencies.

If you feel you are a victim of protected class employment-related discrimination and would like to file a complaint with ADID, please fill out a complaint form.  

ENSURING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND COMBATING HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE

WHEREAS, it is a cornerstone of democratic governance of the State of New York that every New York State employee is treated equally before the law and has the right to full enjoyment of the protections, rights and obligations provided by law; 

WHEREAS, New York State is committed to a culture of respect that values and promotes diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity, free of unlawful discrimination on the basis of protected class status, including, age, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, military or veteran status, disability,  predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or family status, domestic violence victim status, arrest record or criminal conviction history, or any other impermissible basis, in all functions performed, and services offered, by New York State employees;

WHEREAS, it is the policy of New York State to protect and promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in the State’s workforce in accordance with the requirements of the New York State Human Rights Law, Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and all applicable requirements of New York state and federal law;

WHEREAS, it is imperative that New York State continue its efforts to facilitate effective, coordinated strategies for diversity and inclusion, and for preventing and remedying discrimination and harassment at all levels of state government, that employ best practices and make effective use of resources across New York State agencies;

WHEREAS, New York State is committed to effectuating the comprehensive recommendations of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion to increase diversity and inclusion in state government;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ANDREW M. CUOMO, Governor of the State of New York, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of New York, do hereby order as follows:

I.      Governor’s Executive Committee for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity

a.     The Governor's Executive Committee for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity is hereby established and its membership shall consist of the following: the Chief Diversity Officer, who shall serve as the chairperson, the Commissioner of Civil Service who shall serve as vice-chairperson, the Director of Budget, the Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights, the Commissioner of Labor, the Secretary of State, the Director of Employee Relations, the Director of Veterans’ Affairs, and the Commissioner of the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.  Membership of the committee may be amended by the chairperson and vice-chairperson, with the agreement of the current members of the committee. The vice-chairperson shall perform the duties of the chairperson in the chairperson's absence and at such times as the chairperson may direct.

b.     The Committee shall advise the Governor, the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service in the formulation and coordination of plans, policies, and programs relating to diversity and inclusion in all Affected State Entities, as defined in Article II of this Order, and in assuring effective implementation of such policies, plans, and programs by such entities.

II.    Comprehensive State Diversity and Inclusion Planning

a.     Definitions: As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                                      i.     “Affected State Entities” shall mean (i) all agencies and departments over which the Governor has Executive Authority; and (ii) all public benefit corporations, public authorities and commissions, for which the Governor appoints the Chair, Chief Executive, or the majority of Board Members, except for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

                                    ii.     “State officer or employee” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 73 of the New York Public Officers Law. 

b.     Responsibilities of the Commissioner of Civil Service and Chief Diversity Officer

                                      i.     No later than December 31, 2018, the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service shall prepare comprehensive statewide objectives for the employment of minorities, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, disabled persons, and veterans, and guidelines for agencies to prepare agency diversity and inclusion plans, including policies, objectives and implementation strategies. Such objectives and guidelines shall be developed with the advice of the Executive Committee for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity established pursuant to Article I of this Order and shall be updated as necessary.

                                    ii.     The Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service shall be responsible for monitoring the implementation of the written diversity and inclusion plans of State agencies on a continuing basis, including the need for revising or amending such plans and shall provide regular reports on progress to the Governor, incorporating recommendations for improving and strengthening such efforts.

                                  iii.     Upon a finding by the Chief Diversity Officer and Commissioner of Civil Service of substantial noncompliance by a State agency or department with the requirements or terms of this Order, the Chief Diversity Officer shall notify the agency or department of such finding and propose a remedial plan of action. The agency or department shall have 30 days from the receipt of such notice to accept the remedial plan or submit an alternative remedial plan acceptable to the Chief Diversity Officer and Commissioner. The Chief Diversity Officer and Commissioner may work directly with the agency or department to develop and implement the remedial plan until they are satisfied that the agency or department will implement the plan in compliance with the provisions of this Order.

                                   iv.     The Commissioner of Civil Service shall prepare annually a report of the composition of the work force of each State agency and department by sex and ethnic identity for all job categories, salary grades, and civil service classifications. The Chief Diversity Officer working in collaboration with the Commissioner of Civil Service shall also conduct studies to identify and resolve problems in eliminating under-representation and under-utilization of minorities, women, LGBT individuals, disabled persons, and veterans, and shall make recommendations to the Governor concerning the adoption or amendment of other laws, rules and regulations for the same purpose.

                                    v.     There is hereby established the Office of Diversity Management within the Department of Civil Service. The Office of Diversity Management shall be responsible for assisting the Commissioner of Civil Service and the Chief Diversity Officer in the effective development and implementation of statewide diversity and inclusion plans, policies, and programs. State agencies, officers and employees shall cooperate with the Office of Diversity Management and necessary staff may be transferred to the Office of Diversity Management pursuant to Civil Service Law 70.2.

c.     Development and Implementation of Diversity and Inclusion Programs by State Agencies

                                      i.     Each Affected State Entity shall develop a written diversity and inclusion plan consistent with the guidelines developed by the Chief Diversity Officer and Commissioner of Civil Service under Article II (b)(i) of this Order.

                                    ii.     The head of each Affected State Entity shall designate an employee as the agency's diversity and inclusion officer and report such designation to the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service. The diversity and inclusion officer shall report to the agency head and shall have such support staff as may be appropriate to accomplish his or her duties.

                                  iii.     By December 31 of each year, beginning in 2019, each Affected State Entity shall submit a report on diversity and inclusion to the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service. Such reports shall be submitted periodically, but not less frequently than annually, in a format and pursuant to standards issued by the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service, and shall include a report on the agency's employment actions with respect to minorities, women, disabled persons, LGBT individuals, and veterans, and shall identify the agency's achievements, deficiencies, proposed solutions to problems, the need for external assistance, and such other matters as may be appropriate or requested.

                                   iv.     Each Affected State Entity shall cooperate with the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service to provide any other information, data, and reports as may be deemed necessary.

d.     The State Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Council

                                      i.     There is hereby established the State Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Council (the "Workforce Council"). It shall consist of the diversity and inclusion officers of each agency designated pursuant to Article II(c)(ii) of this Order. The business of the Advisory Council shall be conducted pursuant to by-laws adopted by the members and subject to the approval of the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service.

                                    ii.     The Advisory Council shall advise the Chief Diversity Officer, the Commissioner of Civil Service, and the Executive Committee for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity established pursuant to Article I of this Order, on all existing and proposed policies, procedures, practices and programs relating to or affecting affirmative action, and consistent with any request by the Chief Diversity Officer and the Commissioner of Civil Service shall submit reports of its activities.

III.   Combating Harassment and Discrimination in State Agencies

a.     Definitions

                                      i.     “Affected State Agency” shall mean all agencies and departments over which the Governor has executive authority.

                                    ii.     “Protected class discrimination” shall mean employment-related discrimination that is unlawful pursuant to federal laws, rules or regulations and/or state laws, rules or regulations, including but not limited to, Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the New York State Human Rights Law.

b.     In order to promote the effective, complete and timely investigation of complaints of employment-related protected class discrimination, as of December 1, 2018, the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations (GOER) shall be responsible for conducting all investigations into employment-related discrimination complaints filed by employees, contractors, interns or other persons engaged in employment at Affected State Agencies as defined in Article III(a)(i) of this Order.

c.     Such Affected State Agencies shall transfer the investigation function pursuant to Civil Service Law 70.2 to GOER and continue to permit such employees as are assigned by GOER to investigate complaints of protected class discrimination within their entity and shall cooperate fully with any and all investigations.

IV.  Revocation of Previous Executive Order

       This Executive Order revokes and supersedes Executive Order Number 6, dated February 18, 1983.

G I V E N   under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State in the City of Albany this twenty third day of August in the year two thousand eighteen.

BY THE GOVERNOR  

      Secretary to the Governor

For questions or compliance issues regarding Executive Order No. 187, please email us at [email protected] or call 518-474-1920.