To: All CFTC Employees

From: Chairman Rostin Behnam

Date: April 14, 2022

Subject: CFTC Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Harassment Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity

As CFTC Chairman, I believe that the CFTC should be a model workplace where all employees 

have the right to work and advance on the bases of merit and ability. Federal Equal Employment 

Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations protect all employees and applicants for employment 

from discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, 

sexual orientation, and gender identity), age (40 or older), national origin, disability, genetic 

information, or retaliation. I support the right of all CFTC employees to exercise their rights 

under Federal EEO laws and regulations. Moreover, I reaffirm the CFTC’s commitment to

ensuring that the CFTC provides employees and applicants for employment equal employment 

opportunity across all personnel and employment programs, and terms, conditions and privileges 

of employment including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, merit promotion, training, and 

career development and ask that you join me in this commitment. Consistent with this 

commitment, the CFTC also provides reasonable accommodations to employees and applicants 

with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs, observances and practices.

Unlawful Harassment

The CFTC is committed to maintaining a work environment that is free of harassment. 

Harassment is a form of employment discrimination that violates Federal EEO laws and 

regulations and is defined as unwelcome verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct that is based on 

race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age (40 

or older), national origin, disability, genetic information, or retaliation. Sexual harassment is a 

form of harassment defined as unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or other 

verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Harassment becomes unlawful where: 

(1) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment; or (2) the 

conduct is severe or pervasive enough to create a work environment that a reasonable person 

would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive. Workplace harassment will not be tolerated, and 

the CFTC is committed to implementing policy and procedures to uncover and correct harassing 

conduct at the earliest possible stage to avoid or limit potential harm to any employee before it 

rises to the level of unlawful harassment.
Protection Against Retaliation

CFTC employees and applicants are also protected against retaliation. Consistent with Federal 

EEO laws and regulations, retaliation against individuals for their participation in the EEO 

complaint process or opposition to discriminatory practices is prohibited and will not be 

tolerated. 

How To Report

CFTC employees or applicants for employment who believe they have been subjected to or 

observed harassing conduct should contact their immediate supervisor, the supervisor of the 

alleged perpetrator or any member of management. CFTC employees or applicants who believe 

they have been subjected to unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, 

or retaliation based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and 

gender identity), age (40 or older), national origin, disability, genetic information, may initiate a 

complaint by contacting the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion (OMWI), Equal 

Employment Opportunity Program within 45 days of the alleged discriminatory action via email 

at CivilRights@cftc.gov.

Together, we all play a part in making the CFTC an employer of choice where we strive to 

ensure equal employment opportunity and a workplace free of harassment. All CFTC employees 

are responsible for maintaining public trust and are held to high conduct standards including

honesty, integrity, and impartiality while supporting the Commission in achieving its mission 

and serving as an exemplar in the markets we regulate and the financial industry we serve. It is 

incumbent on all of us, regardless of our positions within the CFTC, to do our part to ensure that 

the CFTC is a safe and fair workplace, where individual differences are respected and valued;

this includes cooperating fully in any matter related to equal employment opportunity. CFTC 

supervisors and managers must take a lead role in advancing and embedding fairness in our 

decision-making processes and proactively identifying and rectifying barriers to equal 

employment opportunity. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to fulfilling the CFTC's 

mission.