Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board 

Office of Resource Management 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Document Number ORM.320 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board 

Effective Date: May 31, 2016 

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board 

Office of Resource Management 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Document Number ORM.320 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. Overview ......................................................................................................................................................... 3 

2. Policy ............................................................................................................................................................... 3 

3. Applicable Procedures ..................................................................................................................................... 5 

4. Revision History .............................................................................................................................................. 5 

5. Approval .......................................................................................................................................................... 6 

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board 

Office of Resource Management 

1. Overview 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Document Number ORM.320 

The Federal Employees' Retirement System Act of 1986 (FERSA) authorized the Federal 

Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB, Agency), an independent agency of the U.S. Executive 

Branch, to administer the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), one of the three components of the Federal 

Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The TSP is a defined contribution plan for U.S. Federal 

employees (including those covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)) and members 

of the uniformed services). FRTIB and TSP are collectively referred to as the Agency. The mission 

of FR TIB is to administer the TSP solely in the interest of its participants and beneficiaries. 

The Office of Resource Management (ORM) is the FRTIB office that supports and manages human 

resources and administrative activities for the Agency in accordance with Office of Personnel 

Management (OPM) regulations and other applicable Federal regulations. ORM serves as a strategic 

partner to FR TIB leadership and drives the design of innovative, effective administrative services 

and human resource programs to support FRTIB employees and its overall mission. The 

Administrative Services Branch is a sub-office within ORM that manages the key business processes 

related to FRTIB's administrative programs and initiatives. 

This document sets forth FRTIB's policy related to implementation ofits Equal Employment 

Opportunity (EEO) program. The objective of this policy is to promote and achieve equal 

opportunity in employment and personnel practices within the FRTIB. This policy governs FRTIB's 

EEO program and compliance activities. The FRTIB Office in charge of administering and 

implementing this policy is ORM. 

2. Policy 

FR TIB will provide equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for 

employment regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (includes pregnancy, equal pay, gender 

identity/transgender status, and sexual orientation), religion, age, disability, and genetic infonnation. 

Pursuant to this policy, FRTIB prohibits discrimination on these bases in the workplace and the 

Agency's employment practices. FRTIB strives to provide and maintain a work environment that is 

free from all fonns of discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, as well as reprisal or 

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board 

Office of Resource Management 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Document Number ORM.320 

retaliation for requesting EEO protection. FRTIB seeks to address improper conduct (e.g., 

harassment) at the earliest possible stage, before it becomes severe or pervasive. This policy 

supplements Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance. Anytime a 

discrepancy exists between the two, EEOC guidance shall take precedence. 

FRTIB will maintain its EEO program following the guidance for a "Model EEO Agency," as 

defined in the EEOC Management Directive (MD) 715. In MD-7I5, EEOC provides policy 

guidance and standards to establish and maintain effective affirmative programs of EEO under Title 

VII of the Civil Rights Act of I 964 and related antidiscrimination laws. FRTIB is committed to 

implementing all applicable Federal laws, regulations, and EEOC guidance to develop Model EEO 

Agency Plans and annual reporting of accomplishments. 

Pursuant to MD-715, the Agency shall implement strategies to identify and remove deficiencies or 

barriers to success for its EEO program. This includes ensuring EEO compliance during typical 

FRTIB activities including outreach and recruiting, hiring, promoting, training, awareness, facilities 

and program accessibility for FRTIB employees. The EEO Program Manager will ensure that all 

memorandums and other informational items that detail policy or procedural updates are distributed 

appropriately after receiving Executive Director approval. 

2. I EEO Program Complaint Process 

The EEO Program Manager shall ensure an accessible complaint procedure exists that includes 

confidential counseling, mediation, and investigation. Where it is established that discrimination 

occurred, FRTIB will take prompt corrective action, including disciplinary action against employees 

who engage in discriminatory practices. The Agency will use a contractor/vendor to handle all 

complaint processing activities to avoid conflicts of position or conflicts of interest. The Agency 

and the contractor shall follow the regulations set forth in 29 C.F.R. Part 1614 and the guidelines in 

MD-I I 0 for processing discrimination complaints. 

Federal employees who believe they have been discriminated against shall consult with an EEO 

counselor within forty-five ( 45) days of the discriminatory event or 45 days of the effective date of 

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board 

Office of Resource Management 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Document Number ORM.320 

the personnel action prior to filing a complaint in order to make an attempt to informally resolve the 

matter. The goal of EEO counseling is to resolve disputes as early as possible. 

Federal employees who have knowledge of the circumstance(s) or incident(s) causing the employee 

to file an EEO complaint shall cooperate during all stages of the complaint process. This 

cooperation includes assisting counselors, mediators, and investigators. Likewise, if the employee 

fails to cooperate during the complaint process, his or her complaint may be dismissed. Other 

parties, including responsible management officials and witnesses, who do not cooperate may be 

disciplined in accordance with FRTIB Discipli11a1y and Adverse Actions Policy for failing to assist in 

EEO proceedings. 

All FRTIB employees shall perform their duties in compliance with applicable EEO laws and 

regulations. FRTIB employees are required to participate in EEO training annually to support this 

objective. The EEO Program Manager is responsible for identifying and communicating appropriate 

EEO training to FRTIB employees in coordination with the Human Resources Division to ensure 

FRTIB meets EEO compliance requirements. 

FRTIB shall meet applicable annual reporting requirements to EEOC. 1 These reports demonstrate 

the effectiveness and performance of the FRTIB EEO Program. 

3. Applicable Procedures 

• EEO Procedures 

4. Revision History 

Date Version 

4/29/2016 0 

FRTIB Author 

Irene Goodheer 

1 See Appendix A to the FRTIB EEO Procedures 

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Comments 

(briefly summarize change) 

Initial Version 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board 

Office of Resource Management 

5. Approval 

Name: 4/~ Gisile Goethe 

Title: Director. ORM 

Mark Walther 

Title: Chief Operating Officer. FRTIB 

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Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 

Document Number ORM.320 

Date: ~ 111 .2.0( (,o 

Date: 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy