Scope
State clearly which workers and activities are covered, for example employees, applicants, interns, contractors, and workplace-related events.
A documented policy reduces legal risk, guides managers, and signals organizational values to employees and applicants. It helps ensure compliance with federal laws such as Title VII and ADA, and aligns with ESIGN/UETA when retained electronically for authenticity and reproducibility.
Employers of all sizes, HR teams, and legal departments use the Employment Non-Discrimination Policy to standardize conduct and compliance.
The policy is also shared with new hires, posted where required, and included in employee handbooks and onboarding materials.
The HR Director typically approves the final policy text and oversees distribution, training, and periodic review to ensure consistent application across departments and locations.
Legal counsel or an external employment lawyer should review the policy for compliance with federal statutes (e.g., Title VII, ADA) and state laws and to advise on enforcement procedures and potential liabilities.
State clearly which workers and activities are covered, for example employees, applicants, interns, contractors, and workplace-related events.
List federal protected classes and add any state or local categories the employer recognizes, such as gender identity or marital status, to match jurisdictional requirements.
Define harassment, disparate treatment, and disparate impact with examples so employees and managers know what behavior is forbidden.
Provide multiple reporting channels, confidentiality expectations, and a clear timeline for acknowledging and investigating complaints.
Describe the investigation steps, potential interim measures, and range of corrective actions including discipline and training.
Affirm that retaliation against complainants or witnesses is prohibited and specify consequences for retaliatory conduct.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Routing Order | HR > Legal > Executive |
| Required Acknowledgment | Employee signature + date |
| Authentication | Email link or MFA for higher assurance |
| Archive Location | Central HR document repository |
Choose tools that support secure e-signing, audit trails, and reproducible records to meet legal and internal retention needs.
A mid-size employer updates its handbook to add protected categories and a hotline
A public agency integrates policy with collective bargaining terms
Annual legal and HR review recommended to reflect law and practice changes
Require acknowledgment within 30 days of issue or hire date
Acknowledge receipt of complaints within 48 business hours
Aim to complete investigations within 30 calendar days when possible
Provide mandatory training at least annually
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial | No | No | Yes, limited | Yes, limited |
| Bulk Send | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |