Who Can File a Charge of

Discrimination?
If you are an employee/Volunteer, former
employee/Volunteer, or applicant for
employment/Volunteer service with the Peace
Corps, and believe you have been discriminated
against because of the following bases:

Race
Age (40 or over)
Sex/Gender Discrimination
(Includes Sexual Harassment)
Religious Beliefs
Disabilities(physical or mental)
National Origin
Color
Reprisal/Retaliation(for prior EEO
Activity)
Sexual Orientation
Marital or Parental Status
Political Affiliation
Gender Identity/Expression
Genetic Information

You can contact and discuss the matter with the

Office of Civil Rights & Diversity (OCRD) by calling
David King (x2137), Janet Bernal (x2113) or Melanie
Huckstep (x2145). An EEO complaint must be filed
within 45 calendar days of the date of the alleged
discrimination.
Be aware of the time lines. The EEO complaint
process must proceed within certain time
limitations.
The Counselor has 30 calendar days to gather
information about what occurred and to attempt an
informal resolution of the matter.

During the informal EEO Counseling period, the

Counselor will:

writing by your Counselor of your right to file a

formal complaint against the Peace Corps.

Explain the process and advise you in writing of

your rights and responsibilities.

What Is ADR?

Listen and help you identify your claims of

employment discrimination.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a viable

alternative to the traditional EEO counseling. If
elected, ADR must be completed within 90 calendar
days from your date of initial contact with the ADP
office. Mediation is the ADR process the Peace
Corps uses to try and resolve EEO complaints.
During mediation, a neutral third party assists the
involved parties (the aggrieved and the management
official) in collaborative problem solving to come to
an agreement. Both parties, through direct
communication, discuss the issues in dispute and
explore options for resolution. Mediation is also
confidential.

Inform you about the Alternative Dispute

Resolution program (see ADR).
Conduct a limited inquiry with individuals with
firsthand knowledge of the claims.
Discuss your concerns with an appropriate
management official who has authority to
resolve your claims.
Attempt to resolve your concerns informally.
Conduct a Final Interview with you to close out
the informal process.
Be prepared to discuss how you were treated
differently, on which bases, and relevant date(s).
Also be prepared to discuss what remedies could
resolve your claim(s). Supporting documentation and
names of witnesses are also helpful information to
present to the EEO counselor.
This is a confidential process and should not be
discussed by you or anyone not immediately
involved in the counseling process. You have a right
to remain anonymous during the informal EEO
counseling period. You also have a right to a
representative of your choice.

What If No Resolution is
Reached?
If your claim is not resolved during the informal
counseling or ADR process, you will be notified in

If the matter is not resolved in mediation, you will

receive a Notice of Right to File a Formal Complaint
of Discrimination.

What Happens During a

Formal Complaint?
If you decide to file a formal complaint, you must do
so within 15 calendar days from the date you
receive the Notice of Right to File a Formal
Complaint of Discrimination, otherwise the agency
may dismiss your complaint.
Upon receipt of a formal EEO complaint, OCRD
reviews the complaint and either dismisses the
claims or accepts the claims for investigation. Once
accepted for investigation, an EEO Investigator is
assigned to complete a fair and impartial
investigation of the complaint within 180 days.

At the end of the investigation, a Report of

Investigation (ROI) is sent to you. You will have 30
calendar days from the date of your receipt of the
ROI to exercise your right to:
1) request a hearing before an EEOC
Administrative Judge, OR
2) request a Final Agency Decision, without an
EEOC hearing, from the Peace Corps.
You have appeal rights if you are dissatisfied with
the Final Agency Decision.

How Is a Charge of
Discrimination Filed Outside
the United States?
An individual alleging an EEO violation outside the U.S.
should contact the OCRD office at 202.692.2139 or at
ocrd@peacecorps.gov

Peace Corps
Employees Guide
Which Laws and Regulations
Govern the EEO Complaint
Process?

Equal Employment Opportunity

(EEO) Complaint Process

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, and reprisal/retaliation
for prior EEO participation. Sexual harassment is
also prohibited because it is a form of sex
discrimination.
Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of
1967
Prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis
of age (40 years or older).
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Prohibits discrimination on the basis of mental and
physical disability. Also requires agencies to
reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities.
Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 1963
Prohibits sex-based wage discrimination.
Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1614 (29
CFR 1614)
Contains the regulations governing the processing of
federal sector discrimination complaints.

Office of Civil Rights &

Diversity
David King, OCRD Director
(202) 692-2137
Janet Bernal, EEO & Diversity Training Specialist
(202) 692-2113
Laara Manler, EEO Manager
(202) 692-2145
1111 20th St NW
Washington DC 20526
Suite 2310
Phone: 202-692-2139
Fax: (202) 692-1251
ocrd@peacecorps.gov