The D&I Executive Council Encourages You to Share Your Views

/

The Diversity and Inclusion Executive Council is here to listen. Your experience, ideas and feedback help build a stronger and more connected organization.

You can send a message to the Council using the “contact us” link located on the Diversity and Inclusion InSite webpage.

Messages can be shared anonymously, or you can provide your contact information if you’d like us to follow up.

Every contribution strengthens our collective culture, and your perspective can make a difference. Thank you for partnering to build a workplace where everyone feels connected, valued and supported.

Help Shape a More Inclusive County Workplace – Upcoming Workforce Inclusion Survey

/
silhouette of people with different symbols in brains representing differing thoughts

At the County, we are dedicated to creating a workplace where every employee feels valued, supported, and included. Since 2022, the Board-initiated Neurodivergent Excellence program has driven efforts to foster a more inclusive environment by expanding outreach and recruitment of neurodivergent individuals and providing training for staff. Through partnerships with community organizations and a biennial survey, we continue to assess our progress and guide improvements across the County. 

To help us measure how far we’ve come and identify opportunities for growth, we are launching the second biennial Neurodivergent Workforce Inclusion Progress Survey. The survey will be open from Feb. 26 to March 12. This survey is your chance to share valuable feedback based on your personal experiences – feedback that will help shape a more inclusive and equitable workplace. 

Your input is vital. This survey will allow us to evaluate what’s working, highlight areas for improvement and ensure we continue making meaningful impact. Let’s keep building a workplace where everyone belongs. 

What You Need to Know About the Survey: 

✔ Anonymous and Confidential: Your responses will remain anonymous and will be reviewed only in aggregate form. 
✔ Conducted by a Trusted Third-Party: Rangam Consultants, a consultant with global expertise in disability inclusion and neurodiversity, will administer the survey. 
✔ Quick and Easy to Complete: The survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. 
✔ Administered via SurveyMonkey: Employees will receive an email from Rangam Consulting with a link to participate when the survey opens. 

Next Steps 

Look for an email from Rangam Consulting when the survey opens on Feb. 26. Please take a few minutes to complete it and encourage your colleagues to do the same. 

For any questions, contact Human Resources Group Program Manager Holly Norton at holly.norton@sdcounty.ca.gov.   

Thank you for helping us continue to build a more inclusive workplace! 

Storms Clear Out for Valentine’s Day Weddings

/

Mr. and Mrs. Alexis and deondre

February 14 is traditionally one of the busiest days for weddings at the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk offices and the employees were ready for it rain or shine. To make the day special for the couples, they decorated with hearts and flowers. A floral heart arch, roses on the desk dividers, and a heart wall backdrop for photos.

The day started with a few showers, but the sun came out for many couples saying “I do” on Valentine’s Day. Between the four ARCC locations, 153 marriage licenses were issued, and 108 wedding ceremonies took place.

For more information and wedding pictures from the County Administration Center, visit County News Center. You may know one of them.

CAO Message: Building a Stronger Future Together

/

A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:

Part of my vision for our organization is prioritizing communication, so I want to provide some updates as we work together to shape the future of our organization.  

Our organization remains grounded in its values as we continue to navigate challenges such as rising costs and uncertainty at the federal and state levels. Guided by our strategic plan, we are prioritizing funding decisions that align with our mission while ensuring operations move forward as normal. At the same time, we are exploring new ways to evaluate our impact in the communities we serve. 

On May 1, I will release my CAO recommended budget for consideration by the public and the Board. As we develop a fiscally responsible budget, I am mindful that our workforce and the services you provide to the public are our greatest asset. With labor negotiations beginning, I want to address the potential impact on our workforce. The budget and these negotiations are important to all employees. I want to assure you that the County remains committed to fair and productive negotiations that balance employee needs with our long-term financial sustainability. 

We will continue to prioritize competitive compensation and benefits, while remaining mindful of operating within responsible financial limits to be able to continue to provide essential services to the community. 

In the upcoming months, you can expect periodic updates as negotiations progress, while respecting the confidentiality of the bargaining process. We appreciate your patience and professionalism as negotiations take place. In the meantime, our operations continue as usual, ensuring we remain focused on serving our communities.  

These moments reinforce key pillars of our organizational culture – where we strive to be kind, be curious, be bold and do the right thing using HEART. In the coming weeks and months, you’ll hear more about how these principles, in alignment with our vision, mission, and values, guide us and the work we do for our region.  

 Thank you for your continued dedication and hard work. 

Your View: Agua Caliente Rocket Launch

/

Lana Findlay from the Department of Parks and Recreations submitted a photo of a SpaceX launch over Agua Caliente Park taken by Supervising Park Ranger Arnold Young.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Know the Code: Updated Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy

/
Stamp of "Know the Code"

The County has updated its Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment Policy to support the County’s goal of ensuring that every employee is treated with respect and dignity.

The County’s policy prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age (40 and over), disability, pregnancy, medical condition, marital status, citizenship, ancestry, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Sexual harassment is also a form of discrimination and is prohibited.

The policy also addresses retaliation. The County prohibits retaliation against any employee who reports discrimination or harassment violations or takes part in an investigation looking into those reports. 

As part of the policy updates, all complaints of harassment and/or discrimination are directed to the Office of Ethics, Compliance and Labor Standards (OECLS). This means complaints of harassment and/or discrimination are handled independently of departments, ensuring a thorough and objective investigation.

If you feel you’re being harassed or discriminated against, you can take your complaint to your supervisor, your departmental human resources officer or directly to OEC.

Leaders, managers and Human Resources are required to report discrimination and harassment to the OECLS.

As always, you can contact OECLS directly or call the Ethics Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-866-549-0004. A form is also available online. 

“We want employees to know the OECLS is here to help them and that they can trust us with their complaint,” said OECLS Director Branden Butler. “Departments are no longer investigating themselves; an independent office will look into these complaints of harassment or discrimination.” 

If you have questions about the policy, Ethics and Compliance training, or how to access the training and other resources, contact the OECLS team at oec@sdcounty.ca.gov or 619-531-5174.

For information about upcoming Ethics and Compliance Program events, training and resources including monthly “Know the Code” articles and micro-training videos, visit the OECLS webpage on InSite. 

Watch this video to learn more.

Click on the image below to see it full screen.

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Sign Up for Renew

/
graphic of person sitting down with legs crossed and hands up on knees

Sign up for the Employee Wellness Program’s quarterly challenge Renew. Renew is a 6-week program that helps to reinvigorate the mind and body, clarify purpose, and strengthens relationships. 

It offers strategies for all aspects of well-being — physical, mental, social and emotional. In the next few weeks participants will learn and practice activities to create calm and refresh your mind and body in the following areas of interest: 

  • Boost Happiness 

  • Create Calm 

  • Sharpen Focus 

  • Increase Energy 

Each week, a portion of beautiful scenes are revealed as personalized Renew activities are completed. 

Register now. 

Employees requesting accommodation or with questions can email DHRWellness.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov. 

Show Us How You Love Your Heart

/
person giving another person a blood pressure screening

Show us how you’re celebrating American Heart Month! Snap a picture of a blood pressure screening site you visited, your Love Your Heart sticker, a healthy meal, or exercise routine. Whether it’s the view at the top of a local mountain hike, your running shoes, or yummy meal we want to get inspired by your commitment to heart health!

Email communications@sdcounty.ca.gov showing us how you Love Your Heart. Submissions will be listed here on InSite.

If you wish to visit a free blood pressure screening location, go to LoveYourHeartSD.org.

The HHSA team that helped organize Love Your Heart

rebecca bair, a program specialist II of the Document Processing center, sent in this picture of her department’s Love your heart craft day.

Girl and dog at mountain peak

Natalia santos loves her heart with a weekly hike. Here she is with her cute hiking partner on Garnet Peak in the Laguna Mountains.