National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

300 E Street SW

Washington, DC 20546

www.nasa.gov NP-2010-01-639-HQ

ADR foR EEo: A fAR-REAching EffEct

NASA’s Alternative Dispute Resolution 

Program for Equal Employment Opportunity

Did You Know...

■	 There	is	an	ADR	program	for	EEO	at	the	

Center	(informal	stage	of	the	EEO	complaints	

process)	and	Agency	(formal	stage)	levels.

■	 These	programs	are	available	to	you	

to	address	EEO	complaints	quickly	and	

effectively.

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nASA ADR EEo PRogRAM

The Basics

The	NASA	ADR	EEO	program	is	a	voluntary	and	confidential	program	designed	to	resolve	

EEO	claims	at	every	Center	and	at	the	Agency	level	through	facilitation	by	a	neutral	third	

party,	also	known	as	a	mediator.

The	program	generally	utilizes	mediation,	one	of	the	most	common	methods	of	ADR,	

to	quickly	and	appropriately	resolve	workplace	disputes.	It	provides	individuals	with	the	

opportunity	to	develop	mutually	agreeable	solutions.	It	also	allows	the	individuals	involved	

in	the	dispute	to	have	a	greater	voice	in	the	outcome	than	in	the	traditional	EEO	process,	

in	which	the	outcome	is	determined	by	a	NASA	official	or	EEOC	administrative	judge.	

Finally,	ADR	can	foster	stronger,	more	cooperative	working	relationships	and	help	to	build	

trust	between	managers	and	employees.	

For	these	reasons,	the	Office	of	Diversity	and	Equal	Opportunity	(ODEO)	at	NASA	

champions	and	advocates	ADR	as	a	highly	effective	and	cost-efficient	means	of	resolving	

EEO	disputes.

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nASA ADR EEo PRogRAM

Objectives

■	 To	proactively	address	workplace	conflicts	

that	may	surface	in	the	EEO	area	through	a	

heightened	emphasis	on	ADR.

■	 To	support	a	NASA	work	environment	

where	managers,	supervisors,	employees,	

and	applicants	for	employment	have	a	

constructive	and	expeditious	way	to	resolve	

EEO	disputes	and	can	remain	focused	on	

the	mission.

■	 To	provide	a	fair,	timely,	and	cost-effective	

method	for	resolving	EEO	disputes.

■	 To	provide	for	consistency	across	NASA	

Centers	in	ADR	EEO	processes.

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ADR foR EEo: A fAR-REAching EffEct

ADR At the InFormal Stage of the eo 

ComplAint pRoCess (nAsA CenteR)

An aggrieved individual who seeks EEO counseling elects mediation to resolve 

an EEO dispute during the informal EEO complaints process through 

the Center EO Director’s Office.*

During mediation, parties discuss the issues that gave rise to the conflict and 

exchange proposals for resolution.

Center EO Office monitors implementation of the terms 

of the settlement agreement.

The agreement is finalized and signed by the parties, and implemented 

consistent with federal law, regulation, and NASA policy. 

If parties come to a mutually agreeable resolution, the agreement is drafted 

and reviewed by Center EO Office, HR, and the Chief Counsel.

If parties do not come to a 

mutually agreeable resolution, 

the EO complaint process 

resumes. 

Center EO Office coordinates mediation with the employee, management 

representative, and a third party neutral (mediator). If the employee chooses to 

have a representative present, then the Agency would have the discretion to 

provide an Agency representative, as well.

Mediation 

sessions continue until 

conflict is resolved, or either 

party chooses to end 

mediation.

ADR At the Formal Stage of the eo ComplAint pRoCess 

(nAsA offiCe of DiveRsity AnD equAl oppoRtunity)

A complainant elects mediation to resolve an EEO dispute 

during the formal EEO complaints process through the Agency Office of 

Diversity and Equal Opportunity.

During mediation, parties discuss the issues that gave rise to the conflict and 

exchange proposals for resolution.

ODEO monitors implementation of the terms of the settlement agreement.

The agreement is finalized and signed by the parties, and implemented 

consistent with federal law, regulation, and NASA policy. 

If parties come to a mutually agreeable resolution, the agreement is drafted. 

Once drafted, the agreement is then reviewed by the appropriate offices such 

as the Chief Counsel and Human Resources.

If parties do not come to a 

mutually agreeable resolution, 

the EO complaint process 

resumes. 

ODEO ensures that the mediator, a third party neutral, coordinates the 

mediation with the employee and management officials. If the employee 

chooses to have a representative present, then the Agency would have the 

discretion to provide an Agency representative, as well.

Mediation 

sessions continue until 

conflict is resolved, or either 

party chooses to end 

mediation.

*The term “aggrieved individual” applies to both NASA employees and applicants for employment.

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nASA ADR EEo PRogRAM

Frequently Asked Questions About 

ADR EEO Using Mediation

What are the benefits of mediation?

Mediation is an impartial problem-solving 

process designed to:

■	 Lead	to	a	mutually	acceptable	agreement,	

which	is	legally	enforceable.	

■	 Allow	both	parties	to	develop	a	realistic	

assessment	of	its	own	as	well	as	the	other	

party’s	viewpoints	and	alternative	solutions.

■	 Help	the	parties	to	isolate	the	problems	

and	issues.	

■	 Ensure	fairness	for	all	parties.	

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ADR foR EEo: A fAR-REAching EffEct

■	 Help	the	parties	effectively	communicate	with	

each	other.

■	 Help	the	parties	explore	mutually	satisfactory	

solutions	to	problems	instead	of	taking	the	

case	through	the	traditional	complaints	

process.

■	 Lead	to	more	timely	resolution	of	EEO	

disputes	in	the	workplace.

■	 Result	potentially	in	monetary	and	

nonmonetary	settlement.

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nASA ADR EEo PRogRAM

At what point during the eeo complaints process may i request ADR?

Either	party	may	request	ADR	at	any	time	during	the	EEO	complaints	process,	either	at	

the	informal	(Center)	stage	or	the	formal	(Agency)	stage.

Will my right to pursue court or administrative action be affected if i decide 

to mediate an issue?

No.	If	an	aggrieved	individual	chooses	mediation,	the	individual	does	not	jeopardize	his	or	

her	right	to	utilize	the	EEO	complaints	process	in	the	future.

how can i obtain further information about the nAsA ADR eeo program?

For	additional	information	about	the	program,	contact	your	Center	EO	Office	(see	ADR	EEO	

Points	of	Contact)	or	the	Agency	ADR	Program	Manager	in	the	Office	of	Diversity	and	Equal	

Opportunity,	Complaints	Management	Division,	at	202-358-2180.

You	may	also	wish	to	review	your	Center’s	ADR	EEO	procedures,	available	through	your	

Center	EO	Office.

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

NASA Headquarters

300 E Street SW

Washington, DC 20546

www.nasa.gov NP-2010-01-639-HQ