Equal Employment Opportunity and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment HQ MEDCOM OFFICE OF EEO PROGRAMS

Bases of Discrimination Race Race Color Color Sex Sex National Origin National Origin Religion Religion Disability Disability Reprisal (prior EEO-protected activity) Reprisal (prior EEO-protected activity) Age Age

Time Limits Aggrieved person must bring the claim of discrimination to the attention of the EEO Office within 45 calendar days of occurrence. Aggrieved person must bring the claim of discrimination to the attention of the EEO Office within 45 calendar days of occurrence.

Protocol Aggrieved person should attempt to resolve issue through chain of command prior to coming to EEO Office, where feasible. Aggrieved person should attempt to resolve issue through chain of command prior to coming to EEO Office, where feasible. Management should make every attempt to resolve issue with the aggrieved person. Management should make every attempt to resolve issue with the aggrieved person.

Processing Traditional pre-complaint counseling is performed within 30 calendar days. Traditional pre-complaint counseling is performed within 30 calendar days. Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation) is completed within 90 calendar days. Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation) is completed within 90 calendar days.

Benefits of Resolution Restores harmony to the workplace Restores harmony to the workplace Saves money Saves money Saves time Saves time Saves emotions Saves emotions

Sexual Harassment Dynamics A ttitude B ehavior C ommunication

Sexual Harassment Defined Unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; other conduct of a sexual nature: Affecting terms or conditions of employment Affecting terms or conditions of employment Used for employment decisions Used for employment decisions Creating a hostile work environment Creating a hostile work environment

Types of Harassment Quid Pro Quo Quid Pro Quo (Tangible Employment Action) (Tangible Employment Action) Hostile Work Environment Hostile Work Environment

Symbolic Harassment Clothing Clothing Jewelry Jewelry Hair Style Hair Style Vehicle Attachments Vehicle Attachments Computer Screen Savers and Computer Screen Savers and

Verbal Harassment Slang Slang Jokes Jokes Profanity Profanity Tone Tone Pitch Pitch Speech Timing Speech Timing Pauses Pauses

Non-verbal Harassment Distance – Intimate/Personal/Social/Public Distance – Intimate/Personal/Social/Public Touch Touch Eye Contact Eye Contact Body Language Body Language

Organizational Impact Lost productivity Lost productivity Absenteeism Absenteeism Lost time and resources Lost time and resources Negative impact on cohesion, morale, performance, mission accomplishment Negative impact on cohesion, morale, performance, mission accomplishment

Personal Impact Creation or reinforcement of sexual/racial stereotypes Creation or reinforcement of sexual/racial stereotypes Avoidance Avoidance Homicidal violence Homicidal violence Suicidal violence Suicidal violence

Addressing Harassment Keep a record Keep a record * Date, time, location * Date, time, location * What was said by you and harasser * What was said by you and harasser * Names of any witnesses * Names of any witnesses * Names of anyone you told * Names of anyone you told * Names of others harassed * Names of others harassed

Preventing Harassment Issue and post policy Issue and post policy Ensure management accountability Ensure management accountability De-sexualize workplace – focus on professionalism De-sexualize workplace – focus on professionalism Investigate complaints thoroughly, impartially; take corrective action Investigate complaints thoroughly, impartially; take corrective action Train Train

Avenues of Redress Informal Actions Informal Actions * Confront * Confront * Talk with supervisor * Talk with supervisor * Pursue EEO counseling * Pursue EEO counseling Formal Actions Formal Actions * File discrimination complaint, IG, MSPB * File discrimination complaint, IG, MSPB

MEDCOM EEO Office HQ USA Medical Command Office of EEO Programs ATTN: MCEE 2050 Worth Road, Suite 20 Fort Sam Houston, TX (210)