EEO Complaints Process
Precomplaint Counseling
An employee or applicant (complainant) must attempt to resolve an alleged discriminatory act through an EEO Counselor before filing a formal complaint. The employee and/or applicant must contact an EEO Counselor within 45 days of the alleged discriminatory act, the effective date of the alleged discriminatory personnel action or when the complainant first learned of the alleged discriminatory act. The employee may elect to enter Alternative Dispute Resolution during the EEO Counseling stage.
If the complaint is not resolved informally, the EEO Counselor will conduct a final interview with the complainant no later than 30 calendar days after the initial contact. If the complainant elects ADR, this period may be extended up to a total of 90 calendar days. Counseling may also be extended by written consent of the complainant and the designated official.
What to Expect from Counseling
The EEO Counselor does not represent the complainant or Management; he or she is a neutral third party. The Counselor listens objectively to both sides, gathers information, and works to resolve the situation.
The Counselor cannot use the complainant’s name unless authorized in writing; however, a request for anonymity may limit the Counselor’s ability to resolve the matter informally. The Counselor may offer reasonable suggestions for an equitable resolution, and is open to suggestions from others.
Filing a Complaint of Discrimination
Formal Complaint Process: Individual Complaint
Once counseling has been completed, the EEO Counselor issues a Notice of Right to File a Complaint of Discrimination Form (DOE Form 1600.1). If the complainant then wishes to file a formal complaint of discrimination, he/she must do so within 15 calendar days of receiving the Notice. It is critical that the complainant clearly state the claim(s) on the form or an attachment. Only those issues raised during the counseling, or similar/related issues, may be included in the formal complaint. The agency will then determine which issues in the formal complaint will be accepted for investigation, and which issues will be dismissed.
If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination, please follow the EEO complaints process procedure.
EMCBC EEO Counselors
John Brown |
Melvin Boyd |
Carolyn Roehrig |
Brent Johansen |
Stanley Branch |
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