§ 1-2.1. Policy statement.

Section 126-16 of the General Statutes of North Carolina provides:

"All State departments and agencies and all local political subdivisions of North Carolina shall give equal opportunity for employment, without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, or physical disability to all persons otherwise qualified except where specific age, sex or physical requirements constitute bona fide occupational qualifications necessary to proper and efficient administration."

The Halifax County Commissioners have determined that equal employment opportunity is an established policy of the County of Halifax, and affirmative action will be provided in its administration.

Discrimination against any person in recruitment, examination, appointment, training, promotion, retention, discipline, salary increase, or any other aspect of personnel administration because of race, color, national origin or because of political or religious opinions or affiliations is hereby prohibited.

Discrimination on the basis of age, sex or handicapping conditions is prohibited except where specific age, sex or physical requirements constitute a bona fide occupational qualification necessary for job performance. Prior approval must be obtained from the U. S. Department of Labor before establishing any age, sex, or physical requirements.

Halifax County has an affirmative plan which includes:

(1)

Identification and elimination of artificial barriers to equal employment opportunity.

(2)

Work force analysis to determine whether percentages of minorities and women employed in various job categories are substantially similar to percentages of those groups available in the relevant labor force. Where under representation occurs, employment procedures will be analyzed to determine the cause.

(3)

Development of a systematic action plan, with goals and timetables formulated to correct any substantial disparities or other problems identified in the work force and employment analyses.

(4)

Periodic evaluation of results to assess the effectiveness of the affirmative action programs in achieving affirmative action goals on a timely basis.