It is the continuing policy of the member companies of the Utica National Insurance Group to recruit, hire, place, transfer, promote, and at all other times treat employees without regard to any characteristic or status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law, such as race (including traits historically associated with race), color, gender, sex, national origin, religion, creed, age, military status, familial status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, disability status, sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), reproductive health decision-making, as well as any other legally protected statuses; to offer fair and non-discriminatory compensation and benefits to all employees; to treat all employees in a fair and non-discriminatory manner concerning all conditions of employment or termination; and to offer all qualified employees the opportunity to train for and be promoted to positions of greater responsibility on the basis of individual performance on the job and job-related standards of education, training and experience.