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Federal Employee Discrimination

Sept. 12, 2019

Employment discrimination is as prevalent in the public sector as it is in the private sector. To ensure federal employees and private citizens are not subject to employment discrimination by federal agencies, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) strives hard to enforce federal laws and provide for a robust discrimination reporting process.

Defining Federal Employment Discrimination

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ensure any employee who has the power to make decisions or take direct action is not violating federal discrimination laws.

They define federal employment discrimination as refusing a job to an applicant based on their race, color, sex, religion, political affiliation or marital status. They are also prohibited from coercing an employee, deceiving them, intimidate or influence anyone to withdraw from competitive practices, engage in any form of nepotism, retaliate against individuals who exercise their legal rights and disclose legal information, temper on the job performance reports, and discriminate against veterans. Moreover, individuals should ensure a safe working environment for all federal employees.

Filling a Complain

As a federal employee, if you think you are provided with unfair assignments and distribution of work, are rejected a lawful raise or bonus, were subject to harassment, are forced to work under hostile environment, or are subject to unfavorable transfers, you should file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and take legal action against discriminators.

The first step includes contacting your nearest EEO Counselor and seeking a mediation program. If the mediation fails, a formal request should be filed within 15 days of receiving notice on how to file. The agency usually takes 180 days to investigate the matter and provide a report considering if the discrimination occurred. It is possible to appeal the decision and request a formal hearing against the case. The Illinois Department of Human Rights can also be contacted to officially file a discrimination charge.

Additionally, you can seek support from a skilled federal employment attorney who can guide you through the appeals process and file a lawsuit within the prescribed timeframe.

Preventing Discrimination

It is important to educate employees on the need to respect the difference in opinions and practices and to seek proper evidence before implicating individuals for inappropriate behavior. All federal agencies should train their supervisors and managers on how to respond and prevent discrimination, while human resource policies should provide all employees with a small brief that helps educate all. It is important to deal with all complaints confidentially.

If you want to know more about federal employment discrimination or wrongful termination in Illinois, make sure to schedule a free consultation, contact the Law Office of Michael Smith to talk with an experienced employment lawyer.