Schuylkill County Commissioners approved the revised anti-harassment and nondiscrimination policy at their meeting Wednesday.

The policy replaces one from September 2013. Commissioners’ Chairman Barron “Boots” Hetherington did not attend the meeting.

Doreen Kutzler, interim human resources director, said the policy is not changing because of the county solicitor’s office and the human resources office investigating and determining that Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. violated three county policies, sexual harassment, conduct and discipline and physical and verbal abuse. The investigation determined that if Halcovage was an employee he would be suspended and recommended he be terminated.

The Attorney General’s Office closed the case this month and decided not to file criminal charges citing the statute of limitations as one of the reasons not to do so. Halcovage has denied allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination.

Changes to the policy include an equal employment opportunity statement and an anti-harassment and nondiscrimination policy complaint form.

The policy forbids making acceptance of unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature contingent on continued employment, submission to or rejections of such conduct the basis for employment decisions and creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.

“The county will act positively to investigate any alleged violation of this policy, including any harassment claims, and to remedy them when an allegation is determined to be valid promptly and effectively. There will be no express time limits on initiating claims, however; every effort should be made to file a complaint as soon as possible after an event or behavior violating this policy, to allow for prompt investigation and inquiry into the available evidence.”

Written in all capital letters is the following statement.

“Any employee or supervisor who is found, after appropriate investigation, to have engaged in violations of this policy will be subjected to disciplinary action, depending upon the circumstances, up to and including termination of employment.”

Complaints can be in writing or orally. Anonymous complaints will be taken seriously, the policy states.