What is the CPOE Program?
Adopted by the Board of Supervisors and effective July 1, 2011, The County of Los Angeles’ Policy of Equity (CPOE) Program is a policy used to maintain professionalism in the workplace as well as protect the right of employees to be free from discrimination, unlawful harassment, retaliation and inappropriate conduct toward others based on a protected status. The Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and the Department of Human Resources (DHR) are in charge of administering the CPOE.
How Does The CPOE Program Work?
The CPOE program has 3 main components:
- The County Intake Specialist Unit (CISU). CISU is the initial point of contact for County employees who wish to report a potential violation of the CPOE.
- The County Equity Investigations Unit (CEIU). Run by DHR, CEIU is responsible for investigating reports or complaints made to CISU of conduct that potentially violates the CPOE.
- The County Equity Oversight Panel (CEOP). CEOP reviews the CIEU’s investigation findings and then makes proposals to County Department Heads concerning the disposition and discipline recommended.
Below is a chart outlining the CPOE complaint process
Source: ceop.lacounty.gov
Who Files CPOE Complaints?
CPOE complaints are filed by other employees using the “Inappropriate Conduct Toward Others” (or ICTO) standard or by supervisors filing on the behalf of others using the “Duty of All Supervisors and Managers to Report” standard (as required by the CPOE policy).
When Are CPOE Complaints Filed?
CPOE complaints occur when the alleged conduct of another is linked to an equity basis.
CONDUCT can come in the form of certain workplace behaviors or events.
The following is a list of behavioral examples that might violate the CPOE:
- Using Offensive or Derogatory Terms
- Bossing others around
- Rude Behavior
- Shouting or Yelling
- Vulgar Language
- Inappropriate Joking
- Questioning
- …And So On
The following is a list of occurrence examples in the workplace that might violate the CPOE:
- Not Getting Promoted
- Performance Evaluation Issues
- Being Given Extra Work
- Unwanted or Inappropriate Touching
- Staring or Leering
- Being Spoken to About Work Performance
- …And So On
EQUITY in a workplace means everyone receives fair treatment, no matter their age, sex, gender, race, religion, etc.
The alleged conduct must be linked to a State or Federally protected classification, such as:
-
- Sex
- Race
- Color
- Ancestry
- Religion
- National Origin
- Ethnicity
- Age (40 and over)
- Disability
- Sexual Orientation
- Marital Status
- Medical Condition
- Military Status
- Gender
- Gender Identity
- Gender Expression
- Genetic Information
- Pregnancy
- Any Other Protected Classifications Identified Under State or Federal Law
What Should I Do If I Have A Complaint Filed Against Me?
It’s important to know your rights as a Union member when you are called by an investigator. Before you schedule that meeting, please contact UAPD and talk with your representative. You have a right to have a union representative be with you during the investigation meeting. For more information on this, please refer to our Weingarten Rights page.
If you have any further questions, contact your union steward or representative.
Additional Resources
Los Angeles County Policy of Equity (PDF)
CEOP’s Guide to Filing Complaints (PDF)