News

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Strengthens Commitment to Nondiscriminatory Practices in Hiring and Workplace

December 20, 2007

HARRISBURG, December 21, 2007 - Declaring that all Pennsylvanians who enter the Commonwealth's courts and related offices are deserving of dignity and respect, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has issued an order to promote equal employment opportunities and non-discriminatory practices throughout the Unified Judicial System. The court order, issued today, is effective Jan. 1, 2008. It effectively prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment in any office that serves as a workplace for court employees or in which court business is conducted. The order applies to both elected and non-elected judicial officers and staff in all court-related facilities. Though Pennsylvania's Judiciary already is an equal opportunity employer and strongly adheres to non-discriminatory workplace practices, the Supreme Court order strengthens and promotes the fair and equal treatment of those who work or have business in the courts and extends the concept across the Unified Judicial System or UJS. Pennsylvania's Constitution provides for a centralized court structure, or UJS, that is comprised of appellate courts, trial courts and lower courts of limited jurisdiction. "This court stands firm in its commitment to all Pennsylvanians to be treated as equal citizens in the Commonwealth's courtrooms and court offices," said Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy. "This policy is a formal affirmation of our long-standing dedication to fair and equal treatment - and provides a means to be held accountable for doing so." Although many court-related, independently elected offices maintain their own county-funded staff and nondiscriminatory policies, this policy articulates the Supreme Court's clear intent that hiring, workplace and business practices ought to be conducted without regard to gender, race, religion or sexual orientation. The policy addresses compliance and reporting responsibilities and outlines procedures for filing complaints, conducting investigations and disciplinary or remedial actions. Copies of the policy and complaint procedures will be posted prominently within court facilities and distributed to all new judicial employees. Both the order and policy also are posted on the Pennsylvania Judiciary's Web site at: www.courts.state.pa.us. The policy and court order represent the culmination of two years of collaboration among the Pennsylvania Judicial Council, Interbranch Commission for Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness and the AOPC.