See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.
Label:
Emergency ordinance
*Approve revisions to the Human Resources Administrative Rule for Gender Identity and Non-Discrimination (amend HRAR 2.04)
Passed
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The City’s current rule listed above impacts the City through needs for evaluating current practices and employee rights for conflicts with Oregon state and federal laws including equal employment protections.
- This revision provides an opportunity for the City to clarify its own policies and rules in these areas, ensuring we are upholding the highest ethical standards and supporting the workforce through alignment with City Core Values.
- The proposed HRAR rule was revised to incorporate feedback from bargaining units, employee resource groups, and stakeholders from bureaus and offices across the city, and were redistributed for review and comment in November 2023 to Council, bureau managers, Citywide human resources staff, labor leaders and city employees.
- HRAR 2.04, Gender Identity and Non-Discrimination, expands the rule intent to prohibit harassment and discrimination based on gender identity and expression through additional and updated language on facilities, name and pronoun uses, dress code policy, available health benefits, individual privacy, official records and adds a model guidance document and additional resources.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- Human Resources Administrative Rule 2.04, Gender Identity and Non-Discrimination is hereby amended in accordance with Exhibit A, effective immediately upon passage.
Section 2. The Council declares that an emergency exists to protect the rights of employees and their gender identification, and to clarify and expand upon language addressing requests by employees who transition; therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage by the Council.
Official record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of proposed legislation and background information
The purpose of this Ordinance is to amend the Human Resource Administrative Rule (HRAR) to clarify information for non-discrimination and protection of employees.
HRAR 2.04 revisions complement the existing rule intent to prohibit harassment and discrimination based on gender identity and expression. The impact of this rule change supports the City Core values through practices that treat individuals with dignity, respect and create a more equitable and inclusive workplace.
Updates include additional and updated language on sanitary and related gender-specific facilities, name and pronoun uses, dress code policy clarification, health benefits coverage commitment, privacy standards, official record expectations and workplace transition plan model guidance. The Bureau of Human Resources in collaboration with the Office of Equity and Human Rights will work towards implementing training for existing and future city employees and updated guidance to support employees, managers, supervisors and human resource business partners through requested transition plans.
Financial and budgetary impacts
There are no financial or budgetary impacts to the proposed changes.
Community impacts and community involvement
This is an update to City Human Resource policy which affects only City employees. Expansion of resources and protections as proposed may encourage prospective applicants in the community to be interested in working for the City as these policies could present the City of Portland as a more welcoming and supportive employer of choice.
100% renewable goal
Not applicable.
Financial and budget analysis
Analysis provided by City Budget Office
No fiscal impact.