Report commissioned to evaluate Whatcom Countys sexual harassment policy has been released

An independent report on Whatcom County's sexual harassment policy revealed significant areas for improvement, especially in employee support during harassment claims. Presented by Matrix Consulting's Alan Pennington, the report highlighted the county's training as a strong foundation but called for the standardization of policies across the organization. The survey involved roughly half of the county's nearly 1,200 employees, with only 43% feeling secure in reporting harassment without facing retaliation. Councilmember Ben Elenbaas expressed concern over the response rate, suggesting it indicates deeper issues within the workplace culture. Human Resources Director Melissa Keeley shared recent changes to procedures, which align with Pennington's recommendations, including clearer definitions of acceptable behaviors and the rollout of Neogov software.

The county's commitment to improving its sexual harassment policy is crucial for fostering a safer workplace. Pennington’s findings will guide ongoing efforts to enhance employee education and support. The full report is available on the Whatcom County website.