U.S. Department of Homeland Security 
300 D Street, S.W. 
Washington, DC 20472 

OFFICE OF EQUAL RIGHTS 


YOUR RIGHT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY 


Policy: It is the policy of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to 
provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants in every aspect of their 
employment and working conditions. FEMA supports the concept of affirmative 
employment to ensure that personnel policies and practices provide equal employment 
opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, 
genetic information or retaliation/reprisal. 

Complaints of discrimination may be filed by any FEMA employee, applicant for 
employment, who believes he/she has been discriminated against on the basis of one 
or more of the eight prohibited factors. Other protections (Sexual Orientation and 
Parental Status), are available but are not covered by Title VII and the Equal 
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Any decisionprotections will be rendered by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Civil 
Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL). 
. 

• 
Race 
• 
Color 
• 
National Origin 
• 
Sex (Sexual Harassment) 
• 
Age (40 and up) 
• 
Disability 
• 
Religion 
• 
Genetic Information 
• 
Retaliation/Reprisal 
regarding 
these *Other Protections* 
Sexual Orientation and Parental 
Status 

hearing. The AJ must issue a decision within 180 days of a request 

PRECOMPLAINT PROCESS: 

1. INITIAL CONTACT: Employee or applicant for employment must 
contact the FEMA Office of Equal Rights within 45 calendar days of 
the alleged discriminatory incident for assignment of an EEO 
Counselor. 
2. COUNSELING: The EEO Counselor will attempt to resolve the 
matter informally within 30 calendar days from the date of initial 
contact. Counseling may be extended up to 60 days if both parties 
agree. If the matter cannot be resolved, employees or applicants 
may file a formal complaint. Where applicable complainant may be 
offered Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) by the Agency. This 
technique is used to resolve matters at the lowest level possible. 
Pre-complaint processing may be extended up to 90 calendar days 
when utilizing ADR; however, ADR can be offered during any phase 
of the complaint process. 
FORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS: 

3. FILING: Employee or applicant for employment may file a written 
formal complaint with the Director, Office of Equal Rights within 15 
calendar days after the final counseling interview. 
4. ACCEPTANCE/DISMISSAL: If the complaint is accepted, an 
investigator collects all relevant information pertaining to the 
complaint. If the complaint is dismissed, in part or whole, the 
complainant is provided, in writing, of the reason(s) for dismissal and 
informed of the right to appeal the decision. 
5. INVESTIGATION: The agency shall develop a complete and 
factual record upon which to make findings on the matters raised by 
the written complaint. The investigation must be completed and the 
file provided to complainant within 180 days from filing the complaint. 
6. HEARINGS: Within 30 days of receipt of the investigative file the 
complainant has the right to request a hearing or request an 
immediate final decision from the Agency. Complainant may 
request a hearing at any time after 180 days have elapsed from the 
filing of the complaint. Hearings are conducted by an Administrative 
Judge (AJ) appointed by the EEOC. At the discretion of EEOC, a 
mediation session may be attempted to resolve the matter prior to 
for a hearing. 

7. FINAL DECISION OR FINAL ORDER: A final agency decision or 
final order is issued by DHS/CRCL within 60 days of receiving the 
request for a decision, or within 60 days of the end of the 30 day 
period for complainant to request a hearing/decision and 
complainant does not request either, or within 40 days from receipt 
of an AJ’s decision. 
8. RIGHT TO APPEAL TO EEOC: If Complainant is dissatisfied with 
an Agency or AJ’s dismissal, final action, or decision, s(he) may 
appeal to EEOC within 30 days of receipt of the dismissal, final 
action, or decision. 
9. CIVIL ACTION IN U.S. DISTRICT COURT: Complainant may file 
a civil action in an appropriate U.S. District Court: in one of the 
following ways: (1) within 90 days of receipt of final agency action 
on an individual complaint, or final decision on a class complaint, if 
no appeal has been filed; (2) after 180 days from the date of filing an 
individual or class complaint if no appeal has been filed, and no final 
action on an individual complaint or no final decision on a class 
complaint has been issued; (3) within 90 days after receipt of the 
EEOC's final decision on an appeal; or, (4) after 180 days from the 
date of filing an appeal with EEOC if there has been no final decision 
by the Commission. 
10. CLASS COMPLAINTS: Information on class complaints may be 
obtained from the Office of Equal Rights. 
11. INFORMATION: To 
file a complaint or obtain information 
pertaining to the EEO complaints process contact: 
FEMA 
Pauline C. Campbell, Director 
Office of Equal Rights 
300 D Street, S.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20472 -3505 
(202)646-3535