Equal Employment Practices Commission Will Audit City Council

For the first time, the city's Equal Employment Practices Commission will audit the City Council to determine if its practices are in line with city law.

"The council makes every effort possible to create a workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination, and looks forward to working with the city's EEPC to find ways we can further strengthen the Council's employment practices," the speaker of the City Council, Christine Quinn, said yesterday in a statement.

The EEPC, which can compel testimony from witnesses and recommend action to the mayor, will interview council staff, collect anonymous survey responses from employees, and make public its findings at the end of the investigation.

According to the executive director of the EEPC, Abraham May, the process should be completed sometime between four and six months.