Diversity Policy

Managing a diverse work force can enhance an organization's responsiveness to an increasingly diverse world of customers, improve relations with the surrounding community, increase the organization's ability to cope with change, and expand the creativity of the organization.

KOTO is committed to ensuring that its staff, volunteers and governing boards reflect the richness of the diversity found in the region it serves. Diversity encompasses the range of ethnicity, viewpoints and ideas  that are derived from a wide variety of individuals and institutions. Often this diversity is a result of different cultures, histories, races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientation, abilities, age, national origins, religions, creeds, colors and veteran status.

 EEO, Affirmative Action, and Diversity Policy Statement

KOTO is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons. KOTO makes employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, training, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit. Employment decisions are based on an individual's qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Employment decisions will be based on the principles of equal employment opportunity and with the intent to further KOTO commitment to affirmative action, diversity and equal employment.

KOTO will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified minority group individuals, females, disabled, or qualified protected veterans are introduced into the workforce, encouraged to apply for promotion, and considered as promotional opportunities arise. KOTO values and actively promotes a diverse workforce.

The policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on gender (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, the actual gender of the individual or the identity, appearance or behavior of an individual, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the individual's gender or birth), sexual orientation, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, pregnancy, age, marital status, registered domestic partner status, medical condition (which includes genetic characteristics), physical or mental disability, status as a veteran or special disabled veteran, or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state or local laws, ordinances or regulations. KOTO also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.

KOTO is committed to diversity and compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in KOTO's operations, including KOTO's Board of Directors, Community Advisory Board, and Women's Council, and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of KOTO, including supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates. KOTO managers and supervisors take affirmative action to ensure adherence to diversity and equal employment opportunity practices and to provide appropriate training of personnel in their areas of responsibility. The implementation of this policy requires the understanding and cooperation of all employees, supervisors, and managers.

To comply with applicable laws ensuring equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, we will make a good faith effort to provide reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or an employee unless undue hardship would result. Any applicant or employee who believes he or she requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should contact the EEO and Diversity Officer and request such an accommodation. The individual with the disability should specify what accommodation he or she needs to perform the job. KOTO will analyze the situation, engage in an interactive process with the employee, and respond to the employee's request.

KOTO encourages any employee with questions or concerns about equal employment opportunity or discrimination in the workplace to bring these issues to the attention of KOTO in writing to your supervisor, KOTO's Human Resources Department, or the EEO and Diversity Officer. If these individuals are not available, or in the event you believe that one of these individuals has engaged in inappropriate behavior in violation of this policy, submit a complaint to any other supervisor as soon as possible. Supervisors must report any and all conduct of which they are made aware which violates, or may violate, this policy to myself or other upper-level managers, as appropriate. Your complaint should be specific and should include the names of the individuals and witnesses involved. We will promptly undertake an effective, thorough, and objective investigation and attempt to resolve the situation. If we determine that unlawful discrimination or a violation of this policy has occurred, effective remedial action will be taken commensurate with the severity of the offense, up to and including termination. Appropriate action also will be taken to deter any future discrimination.

There will be no retaliation against any employee who brings a complaint under the equal employment opportunity policy or who assists in investigating such a complaint, even if the investigation produces insufficient evidence that there has been a violation, or if the charges cannot be proven. Employees and applicants for employment are protected from coercion, intimidation, interference or discrimination for filing a complaint or assisting in an investigation concerning unlawful discrimination.

Employees and applicants are encouraged to identify their race and gender, as well as for employees, their qualified protected veteran status. This self-identification is strictly voluntary, confidential, and will not result in retaliation of any sort.

In furtherance of KOTO's policy regarding equal employment opportunity, affirmative action, and diversity, KOTO has developed a written Affirmative Action Program which sets forth the policies, practices, and procedures which the company is committed to applying to ensure that its policies of non-discrimination, affirmative action, and diversity are accomplished. This Affirmative Action Program is available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment upon request, during normal business hours.