For Immediate Release
May 29, 2003
Contact: Denis Fleming, general counsel, or Rusty Cheuvront -- 502-564-2611

 Patton issues order relating to equal employment, non-discrimination in state government  

FRANKFORT, Ky. - In an effort to ensure that all state government employees are treated equally, Governor Patton today issued an Executive Order providing equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity, ancestry, age, disability or veteran status. 

“I firmly believe it is essential to the effective operation of state government that all employees of the state and applicants for employment be treated fairly and equitably,” Patton said. “Equal employment opportunity for all persons should be an integral part of our state government employment system and should afford each individual fair treatment.

 “This order simply reiterates the philosophy of this administration and establishes as state policy the principal that people should be judged by their qualifications and conduct in the workplace and not by their status.” 

 The Governor’s order applies to all applicants for positions within and employees of the program cabinets and the administrative bodies attached to the program cabinets or to the Governor’s Office in the Executive Branch of the government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

 In addition, the order restates and incorporates by reference the Affirmative Action Plan for state government adopted in Patton’s first term. This policy committed the state to secure for its employees equal employment opportunities and freedom from discrimination and harassment. 

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Note: For a copy of the executive order: http://gov.state.ky.us/pressreleases/2003/exordermay29.htm