Broward County Commission Regular Meeting

MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to draft an Ordinance amending Section 16½-33 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances, which prohibits discriminatory practices in employment, to provide that the protections contained therein shall also apply to unpaid interns, volunteers, and other uncompensated workers in the workplace. (Commissioner Kiar)

ACTION:  (T-11:21 AM)  Approved. The Board raised concerns about the spectrum of unpaid workers to be included and possible unexpected consequences.  In addition, input from the external entities such as the Broward League of Cities and the local business community should be sought. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)  (See Yellow-Sheeted Additional Material, dated June 24, 2014, submitted by Commissioner Kiar.) 
 
VOTE: 7-0.  Commissioners Gunzburger and LaMarca were not present during the vote.

Board approval is required prior to the drafting of a proposed Ordinance by the Office of the County Attorney.

Directs the Office of the County Attorney to draft a proposed Ordinance extending the employment-related protections of the County's Human Rights Act to interns, volunteers, and other uncompensated workers.

Section 16½-33 of the Broward County Code of Ordinances currently prohibits discrimination in the workplace but does not specify whether the protections contained therein also apply to uncompensated workers, including interns and volunteers. Under Florida and federal law, interns and volunteers are not protected by anti-harassment and other anti-discrimination laws unless they receive significant remuneration. By extending the applicability of Section 16½-33 to uncompensated workers, Broward County will provide protection to those interns and volunteers who are uncompensated but nonetheless are potentially subjected to harassment and discrimination in the workplace.