# Presentation: 718619

## Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint (EEOC) Procedure

- Know Your Rights

**USDA **
**Natural Resources Conservation Service**
**WIsconsin**

## Who may file an EEO Complaint?

- A federal employee (or recent ex-employee) or job applicant for federal employment who believes that he or she has been retaliated or discriminated against by the agency.

**Notes:**
In basis of discrimination prohibited by title VII, the (ADEA), the Equal Pay Act or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

## What is an EEO Complaint?

- It is the claim of discrimination against an employee or an applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or age.

## Steps of filing a Complaint

- First Step: Pre complaint counseling
- (Informal Counseling)
- Second Step:
- Formal Complaint

**Notes:**
MUST go through informal stage first
Informal Stage is handled within NRCS, employee file informal complaint with CRD 

Each employee is offered ADR

If it is not settled through the informal stage the employee can file a formal complaint with USDA
Within 180 days, if accepted the Formal Stage is handled through EEOC

## How to file the Complaint?

**Contact an EEO Counselor**
**Phone (301) 504-2181**
**	****(301) 504-2439 (voice or TTY)**
**1-866-NRCS-395**
**Federal Relay Service**
**	****1-800-877-8339 **
**	****(voice or TTY)**

## Are there any time limits for filing?

- Complainants must contact an EEO counselor within 45 days of the effective date of the personnel action or within 45 days of the occurrence of the action which led to EEO contact.

**Notes:**
The EEO counselor will have 30days to work the case unless the complainant agrees to an extension or agrees to use the agency’s alternative dispute resolution process. Under either situation the extension will not exceed 60 days. 

## Quiz

- There are seven forms or bases of employment discrimination which are covered by the EEO Discrimination Complaint process. Two of them are “Race” and “Color”. The other five are?
- Religion
- Age
- Disability
- National Origin
- Sex

**Notes:**
Type of prohibited discrimination:  race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40+), disability, reprisal, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, family status, parental status or marital status.

## Need more information?

- Visit these websites:
- _[www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civil_rights.html](http://www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civil_rights.html)_
- _[www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/)__[/](http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civilrights/)_
- _[www.eeoc.gov/](http://www.eeoc.gov/)_

## USDA’s Equal Opportunity Statement

- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
- To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.