Month: September 2021

It’s equity in motion. Gwinnett County Commissioners took a bold step to amend and expand the County’s nondiscrimination policy.
As it stands, a County employee cannot be discriminated against based on their sex, race, color, national origin, gender (identity and expression), sexual orientation, age, religious or political affiliation, marital status or if they are pregnant, disabled, active duty military, or a veteran.
The changes to the policy will now protect a person’s ancestry, family status, immigration status, and homeless status as well.
“Discrimination takes many different forms and it’s important for Gwinnett County to take the lead in identifying and eliminating them,” said Chairwoman Nicole Hendrickson. “People need to know we apply the Gwinnett Standard to our organization as well as to our employment opportunities.”
The amendment also draws inspiration from the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act. The CROWN Act ensures that race-based hairstyles, textures and protective styles such as braids, locs, twists, and knots are protected in the workplace. According to national data, Black women at work are “1.5 times more likely to be sent home” because of their hairstyle.
“People are multi-faceted with many abilities and in an evolving and diverse community like Gwinnett, we’re striving not to let things like hair styles or family arrangements get in the way of recruiting and promoting the best talent we can find to assist in delivering superior services to our taxpayers,” said Vice-Chair and District 4 Commissioner Marlene Fosque.
“While Gwinnett works very hard to provide equal opportunities for all employees, the merit rule changes address subtle ways in which people can be penalized indirectly or unintentionally,” said District 1 Commissioner Kirkland Carden. “We want people to be recognized and assessed according to their abilities and contributions.”
In July, County Administrator Glenn Stephens recommended the updates to the Merit Board. From there, the Merit Board approved the policy changes to be brought before County leaders. 
“I’m happy that the work I did since getting elected to standardize this language and wording continues to be updated and enhanced to prevent all targeted and arbitrary discrimination. Gwinnett County holds itself to the highest standards of integrity and fairness,” said District 2 Commissioner Ben Ku.
“To succeed any organization needs to get the most from its people, and that means treating people fairly no matter who they are, where they come from, or what they look like,” said District 3 Commissioner Jasper Watkins. “We just want to know you can get the job done.”
The changes take effect November 1.
 

The Gwinnett County contractor building the new Interstate 85 interchange at SR 324/Gravel Springs Road will be paving the ramp tie-ins at night on weekends through October.
E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc., plans to complete asphalt paving activities on the project during weekends from October 1 through October 17, weather permitting. The work involves closing an outside travel lane and the shoulder on I-85 to safely complete this phase of the project.
The contractor will work along the southbound shoulder of I-85 the weekend of October 1. The work will last from 8:00pm Friday through 5:00am Monday, October 4. The contractor will then shift over to complete the northbound work on the following weekend of October 8. That work is scheduled for 10:00pm Friday through 6:00am Monday, October 11.
Gwinnett’s Board of Commissioners in mid-2019 approved a construction agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation to fund the construction of the new interchange. Commissioners awarded the construction contract to E.R. Snell.
The project includes four new ramps from Gravel Springs Road, with turn lanes and traffic signals, sidewalks, sound barriers and retaining walls. The project is funded by local, state, and federal funds.
Weather permitting, construction is forecast for completion in mid-2022. To view the project layout, please click here.