But, if you believe you have been discriminated against because of your sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, you may contact an EEO Counselor. The Counselor will try to resolve the situation informally. An EEO Counselor can also give you information about forums for raising a violation of the Civil Service Reform Act. All three laws forbid disparate treatment - intentionally treating employees or applicants differently than others who hold or are applying for similar jobs. Disparate treatment can occur in any area of employment, including hiring, discipline, performance appraisal, termination, working conditions, and benefits.
Harassment is a form of disparate treatment.
All three laws forbid disparate impact - having employer policies or procedures that appear neutral but have a particularly negative effect on a group with a common race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, or disability status. This effect does not have to be intended. Two of the laws require reasonable accommodation . The Rehabilitation Act requires federal agencies to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities unless doing so would be an undue hardship. Similarly, Title VII requires agencies to accommodate religious beliefs and practices unless undue hardship would result.