DENVER – The committee focused on developing the structure of human resources departments at the state capitol met for the first time this past week. Over the course of five meetings, the Legislative Workplace Interim Study Committee will examine and review policies addressing sexual harassment and reforming culture at the capitol.
“As we’re looking to reform the culture at the capitol and take the issue of harassment head on, it’s crucial that we have a procedure in place that takes out the perception that politics could ever get in the way of a just outcome,” Speaker of the House Crisanta Duran (D-Denver) told Anne Trujillo on this week’s Politics Unplugged.
Duran says sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace, much less the capitol where there’s not just one boss.
“In the legislature it’s a unique workplace because legislators are hired and fired by their constituents,” Duran said. “As Speaker of the House I cannot fire another legislator.”
Duran says the committee wants a work environment where employees are evaluated by their qualification, hard work, merit and skill.
Politics Unplugged airs Sundays at 4:30am & 4pm on Denver7 and at noon on K3-KCDO.
