20 Apr May 3: Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
What constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace and what should you do if confronted by it? Jeffery Dewayne Lorick, Equal Opportunity Coordinator, Pinellas County Office of Human Rights, will address those questions and more when he discusses sexual harassment in the workplace. The Pinellas County Office of Human Rights administers Chapter 70 of the Pinellas County Code of Ordinances, which prohibits discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, or disability. These provisions cover all conditions and terms of employment including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, pay, tenure, discipline, discharge, and privileges. This law applies to all employers located in Pinellas County with five or more employees, to labor organizations, and to public and private employment agencies. Employment discrimination charges involving employers with 15 or more employees and based upon race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (over 40), or disability, are also filed with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Jeffery is the former director of the City of Terre Haute Human Relations Commission (HRC), a position he held from 2007 to 2017. Under his leadership, Mr. Lorick cultivated a partnership with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and HUD. He served as a liaison between the people of Terre and the business community as well as local, state, and federal agencies. He served as EEOC officer, on the President’s Commission for Diversity at Indiana State University, the Business Leadership Network, and as chair for the African American Mentor Group.
As director of the Terre Haute HRC, Jeffrey facilitated diversity and inclusion, anti-harassment and EEO training to corporate America, universities and municipalities. Specifically, he facilitated cultural competencies to create awareness of issues and develop intellectual understanding between groups and city institutions; participated in community building initiatives to increase cohesion and to mobilize the community’s commitments, resources, and skills; assisted in compiling, organizing, and categorizing training and resource material to achieve human relations’ goals; developed, implemented, and directed programs to promote diversity; and negotiated with other community agencies to establish dialogue and provide a safe environment for all citizens of the community to engage in civic activities.
Mr. Lorick sits on the Board of Director for the National Association of Human Rights Workers (NAWRH) and is a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Since accepting the position with the Office of Pinellas County Human Relations Commission, Jeffery provides anti-harassment training to employees of Pinellas County and investigates employment and housing allegations of discrimination.
Jeff is married to Belinda Lorick and the proud parent of three children, Kristian, Marcus, and Marsia. Having resided in Terre Haute for thirty- five years, he owned a business for thirty-two years, coached various levels of football, and was actively involved in both civic and church organizations. His investment in the Terre Haute community inspired his dedication to diversity and human rights issues.
Please join us on May 3 to learn more about this important topic.