AFGE’S Guide to Fighting Discrimination 20180 The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is a labor organization affiliated with the AFL-CIO representing approximately 600,000 employees of the United States federal government and the government of the District of Columbia. Under the leadership of the National Vice President for Women's and Fair Practices, the Women's and Fair Practices Departments are devoted to promoting the civil, human, women's and workers' rights of federal and D.C. government workers. If you would like more information regarding equal employment opportunity related issues, please contact: The American Federation of Government Employees Women’s and Fair Practices Departments 80 F Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20001 202-639-4006 (Phone) 202-347-4235 (Fax) www.afge.org/wfp (2018) “That it shall be the policy of the United States to insure equal employment opportunities for Federal employees without discrimination . “ -Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 AFGE's Guide to Fighting Discrimination AFGE’s Women’s and Fair Practices Departments Table of Contents What is Discrimination ...................................................................................................... 1 What is Equal Employment Opportunity? .......................................................................... 1 Federal Statutes ................................................................................................................ 1 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act ....................................................................................... 2 The Age Discrimination in Employment Act ................................................................. 2 The Equal Pay Act ......................................................................................................... 2 The Rehabilitation Act, ADA and ADAAA ...................................................................... 2 The Pregnancy Discrimination Act ................................................................................ 4 The Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act ........................................................ 4 Additional Protections ………………………………………………………………….…………………………………. 4 The No Fear Act ............................................................................................................. 4 Management Directive 715 .......................................................................................... 5 Executive Orders ........................................................................................................... 5 Protected Statuses ............................................................................................................ 6 Theories of Discrimination ............................................................................................... 11 Disparate Treatment Cases ......................................................................................... 11 Disparate Impact Cases ............................................................................................... 11 Harassment Cases ....................................................................................................... 12 Failure to Accommodate Cases .................................................................................. 13 Retaliation/Reprisal Cases .......................................................................................... 15 Where Can an EEO Claim Be Heard? ................................................................................ 16 Individual Complaint ................................................................................................... 16 Class Action Complaint ............................................................................................... 16 Mixed Case Complaints and Appeals .......................................................................... 18 Chart: Where Should I Bring My Complaint? ............................................................. 21 Forum Selection Questions ......................................................................................... 22 Overview of the EEO Complaint Process .................................................................... 23 AFGE's Guide to Fighting Discrimination AFGE’s Women’s and Fair Practices Departments Stages of the EEO Complaint Process .............................................................................. 24 I. Informal Stage ..................................................................................................... 25 Initial Counselor Contact............................................................................................. 25 Pre-Complaint Counseling .......................................................................................... 25 The Agency ADR Process ............................................................................................. 26 If there is No Resolution at the Informal Stage .......................................................... 27 II. The Formal Stage ................................................................................................. 28 Drafting the Formal Complaint ................................................................................... 28 Letter of Acceptance of Claims ................................................................................... 29 III. The Investigation Stage ............................................................................................... 30 Authority of Investigator ............................................................................................. 31 Responsibilities of Federal Employees........................................................................ 31 At the Completion of the Investigation ..................................................................... 31 How to Request a Hearing ......................................................................................... 32 How to Request a Final Agency Decision .................................................................... 32 IV. The Hearing Stage ................................................................................................ 33 The Acknowledgment and Order ............................................................................... 34 Discovery ..................................................................................................................... 34 Types of Discovery Requests....................................................................................... 34 Preparing Discovery Requests .................................................................................... 35 Responding to Discovery Requests ............................................................................. 36 Objections ................................................................................................................... 36 Failure to Respond to Discovery Requests ................................................................. 37 Summary Judgment/Decision Without Hearing ......................................................... 39 Prehearing .................................................................................................................. 40 Hearing ....................................................................................................................... 43 V. Final Action Stage ................................................................................................ 45 Request for Immediate Final Agency Decision ........................................................... 45 FAD Following a Decision by the AJ ........................................................................... 45 VI. Appeals to the Commission Stage ........................................................................ 46 Filing an Appeal ........................................................................................................... 46 Standard of Review for the Appeal ............................................................................. 47 Request for Reconsideration ...................................................................................... 48 AFGE's Guide to Fighting Discrimination AFGE’s Women’s and Fair Practices Departments VII. Right to Civil Action Stage .................................................................................... 49 Burdens of Proof ................................................................................................................ 50 Disparate Treatment ................................................................................................... 51 Disparate Impact ......................................................................................................... 52 Harassment/Hostile Work Environment .................................................................... 53 Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodation ........................................................ 58 Retaliation ................................................................................................................... 61 Remedies/Damages ............................................................................................................ 63 Monetary Relief ......................................................................................................... 63 Back Pay ..................................................................................................................... 63 Lost Wage-Earning