U.S. MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD 

Office of the Chairman 

1615 M Street, NW 

Washington, DC 20419 

Chairman 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY STATEMENT 

The mission of the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is to protect the Merit System 

Principles and promote an effective Federal workforce free of Prohibited Personnel Practices. This 

important mission cannot be achieved without a firm commitment by all of us to uphold our country’s 

anti-discrimination laws and foster a work environment free from unlawful discrimination. 

All MSPB employees will have the freedom to compete on a fair and level playing field with equal 

opportunity for competition. Equal employment opportunity covers all personnel/employment 

programs, management practices, and decisions, including, but not limited to, recruitment/hiring, merit 

promotion, transfer, reassignment training and career development, benefits, and separation. 

Workplace harassment will not be tolerated, and the agency will correct the harassing conduct before 

it becomes severe or pervasive. Reprisal against one who engaged in protected activity will not be 

tolerated, and the agency supports the rights of all employees to exercise their rights under the civil 

rights statutes. 

As the head of the agency, I remind all employees that MSPB does not tolerate discrimination based 

on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression), 

national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), and retaliation. 

Retaliation against those who participate in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint 

process, request reasonable accommodation based on disability, pregnancy, or religion, or oppose 

unlawful discrimination, is strictly prohibited. 

Employees and applicants who believe they have been subjected to unlawful discrimination or 

retaliation and who are considering filing an EEO complaint should contact the Office of Equal 

Employment Opportunity (OEEO) within 45 days of the alleged discrimination or retaliation. OEEO is 

an independent, neutral office offering fair and effective services, including EEO counseling and 

alternative dispute resolution, to help parties resolve conflicts. Employees and applicants may obtain 

more information about the EEO complaint process by contacting OEEO at 771-210-1627 or by visiting 

MSPB’s EEO Portal. 

Employees who believe they have experienced a discriminatory or retaliatory hostile work environment 

should report it immediately to the Anti-Harassment Officer, a supervisor, another management official, 

the Director of Human Resources, or the OEEO Director. Under MSPB’s Anti-Harassment Policy and 

Procedures, supervisors have a special responsibility to promptly address allegations of harassment and, 

when necessary, take appropriate mitigating measures. Supervisors are strongly encouraged to seek 

guidance from OEEO or the Office of General Counsel when addressing claims of discriminatory or 

retaliatory harassment. 

I expect every MSPB employee to uphold this policy, support our Nation’s anti-discrimination 

statutes, and promote a healthy and productive work environment free from discrimination. 

Chairman 

___________________________________ __________________ 

Cathy A. Harris Date 

April 3, 2024