Equal access to volunteer opportunities
Hennepin County provides equal access to volunteer opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, gender (except when gender is a Bona Fide qualification), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, public assistance or national origin.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact your volunteer coordinator or the Hennepin County Human Resources Department, A-400 Government Center, Minneapolis, MN 55487, 612-348-2163.
Non-discrimination and respectful workplace policy
It is the responsibility of all Hennepin County employees and volunteers to create, promote and maintain work environments in which all are respected, valued and welcomed. Respect is a basic building block of every organization. Respect for one another is fundamental to getting work done in effective, efficient and innovative ways.
Consistent with the mission and vision of the Board of Commissioners, Hennepin County will:
- Recognize similarities, respect and value differences among all employees, volunteers, union representatives, clients, customers and vendors
- Strive to ensure a respectful work environment free of all forms of discrimination, including harassment, and workplace bullying
- Promote a cooperative work environment that fosters a positive attitude toward the provision of services
All Hennepin County employees and volunteers will foster environments that demonstrate and support respect and eliminate workplace bullying and discrimination in the workplace.
County managers and supervisors are responsible for investigating any reported situation of discrimination, including harassment and workplace bullying, and taking prompt and appropriate corrective action, which can include informal resolution or more formal action.
The county's complaint processes provide for prompt, thorough and objective investigation of alleged discrimination, including harassment and workplace bullying. If you are a witness to such conduct, you are encouraged to contact a supervisor, manager or department director.
Volunteers may request assistance with filing a complaint through their volunteer coordinator. Volunteers making a complaint will not be subject to retaliation as a result of making the complaint.
Secure workplace
Hennepin County seeks to provide a safe and secure workplace environment for employees, employee organizations, clients, volunteers and citizens. Violence, or the threat of violence, has no place in any of Hennepin County’s workplaces.
Hennepin County is committed to providing as rapid and coordinated a response as possible to violence or the threat of violence at any Hennepin County workplace. Employees and employee organizations, both individually and jointly, will act to prevent or defuse actual or threatened violent behavior at workplaces.
Violence, or the threat of use, of an object as a dangerous weapon, including all firearms, is not permitted at the workplace, or on county property, including in a county vehicle, unless such possession or use is an approved requirement of the job.
Hennepin County is committed to providing a workplace environment in which employees, employee organizations, clients, volunteers and citizens are free to communicate concerns or questions directly to the appropriate level of management.
Discontinuing volunteers
Hennepin County reserves the right to discontinue a volunteer relationship at any time.
Among the infractions for which a volunteer may be immediately dismissed are:
- Illegal conduct with a minor
- Convicted of certain crimes
- Under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
- Sexual misconduct
- Inappropriate use of funds
- Abusive behavior toward staff, clients/customers, volunteers
Volunteer accidents and injuries
When a volunteer is injured while working (no matter how minor), it is his or her responsibility to advise his or her supervisor immediately.
Reporting Procedure: The volunteer should meet with their supervisor who will complete an Incident Report Form (PDF) which the supervisor must immediately forward to Debra Bernard in the County Attorney's Office.
Completing the incident report form does not mean the County is accepting liability for the injury. Under most circumstances, if the volunteer is seeking compensation for an injury, the volunteer must do so by filing a Notice of Claim with the Hennepin County Board as required by statute.
Confidentiality and data practices
Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any information they encounter while serving as a volunteer. All county departments have processes in place to receive and respond to information requests. Volunteers will direct all information requests to their supervisors.
Mileage, parking and transit reimbursement for county volunteers
Subject to the pre-approval of a Hennepin County volunteer coordinator or other designated staff, volunteers who are required to use their automobile for county business purposes are eligible for reimbursement. County volunteers will only be reimbursed for actual mileage and reasonable parking expenses that exceed normal personal commuting costs.
Volunteers requesting reimbursement for business related mileage must maintain a valid driver’s license and motor vehicle insurance. Volunteers are personally responsible for paying fines for any moving violations and parking tickets received while driving for business purposes. These fines are not a reimbursable expense.
Mileage
The county’s standard mileage reimbursement rate per mile is the same as the Internal Revenue Service rate for the deductibility of county business-related mileage expenses. Mileage expenses must be recorded on the Mileage & Parking Reimbursement Request — HCV 489A (PDF).
Parking
Volunteers may be reimbursed for county business-related parking expenses up to the established maximum rates. Actual parking expenses must be recorded on the Mileage & Parking Reimbursement Request — HC489A (PDF).
Public transit
Volunteers may find it convenient and cost-effective to use light rail or bus for county-business purposes instead of driving. Actual public transit expenses must be recorded on the Mileage & Parking Reimbursement Request — HCV 489A (PDF).
You’ll need to provide:
- Date incurred
- County business destination – use the closest intersection if there are privacy concerns
- Number of business miles driven – odometer readings are not needed
- County business purpose
When available, attach original receipts to the form to document parking and public transit expenses. Submit the form and receipts at the end of the month to the volunteer coordinator for the area in which you are volunteering.
For pre-approval and if you have questions please contact the volunteer coordinator for the area in which you are volunteering. A list of volunteer coordinators is included below.
Tobacco-free property
Hennepin County is committed to its mission to enhance the health of its residents and employees by allowing them to live and work in a safe and clean environment. Smoking, tobacco use, and exposure to second-hand smoke have been found to pose definite health hazards including an increased risk of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, cancers, and respiratory diseases.
Tobacco use is prohibited in and on all Hennepin County Property or within a 15 yard radius (45-feet) of street level entrances, whichever distance is further. Hennepin County Property includes, but is not limited to: the grounds of county-owned property; the grounds of property that is leased in its entirety by Hennepin County; and on or in Hennepin County parking garages, lots, and ramps (including within personal vehicles on Hennepin County property).
The tobacco free property policy does not apply to tobacco use done as part of a traditional spiritual or cultural ceremony that has prior approval by the County.
Volunteer consent to photograph
Occasionally Hennepin County takes pictures of volunteers while they are engaged in their assignments. Photographs of volunteers may be used on the county's website and in publications. The county will seek consent prior to taking photographs by asking volunteers to complete and return a consent to photograph form.
IRS deductions – charitable contributions
As a volunteer, you may be able to deduct certain expenses relating to your volunteer activity. Please consult with a tax professional or seek guidance from the IRS at www.irs.gov.