Mayor Dickens and City of Atlanta Release First Employee Bill of Rights
The City of Atlanta Department of Labor and Employment Services has released the Employee Bill of Rights and an accompanying guide focused on appropriately participating in independent administrative investigations. The bill of rights and accompanying guide provides guidance to Atlanta employees in upholding the highest standards of ethical public service.
“Consistent with my fourth pillar of Ethical and Effective government, the creation of the Bill of Rights will help all employees understand their rights within the City,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “As an advocate for—and someone who worked directly on—both the creation of the Office of Inspector General and the City’s Department of Labor, the accompanying guide balances transparency and accountability for the City’s public servants, while making clear their rights and responsibilities.”
The Employee Bill of Rights and subsequent tools introduces the first set of standards created by the administration to ensure ethical engagement with the Office of the Inspector General and the Office of Ethics. This recommendation comes from the recently passed legislation and recommendations by the Taskforce on Ethical Government. With approval from the City Council and the full support of Mayor Dickens, this initiative reflects the City’s commitment to integrity, fairness, and employee empowerment.
The Bill of Rights also lays out Employee Responsibilities, Standards and Rights, which provide clear guidance on employee rights, protections and available resources, fostering a culture of trust and accountability—ensuring consistency and transparency across all departments.
Within the accompanying guide, the roles and responsibilities of the Department of Human Resources, the Office of the Inspector General, the Office of Ethics and the City Auditor’s Office are clearly explained with their respective missions and differences serving as a comprehensive resource for employees.