COURSE DESCRIPTION EEO Counseling explains how the Federal EEO counselor attempts to resolve allegations of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, and/or disability. The course covers the role of the counselor, the steps in the counseling process, formal complaints, and interviewing techniques the student must know to be a successful counselor.

COURSE CONTENTS

Lesson 1: Overview

• Formal complaint is processed
• Appeal to EEOC, OFO
• Civil action in U.S. District Court
• Definitions
• Matters in Formal Complaints
• Bases of Complaints Filed
• Individual Matter
• Class Matter
• Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures
• Calendar Days
• Purpose of EEO Counseling
• Resolve EEO Matters
• Reach Resolution Informally
• Reach Resolution Quickly
• Role of the EEO Counselor
  • Educator
  • Facilitator
  • Translator
  • Messenger
  • Suggestion Maker
  • Face Saver
  • Target for Hostilities
• Which Role? When?
• How to Approach Resolution
• Anti-Discrimination Laws and Executive Orders
  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (as amended)
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967
  • Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Equal Pay Act (EPA) of 1963
  • Executive Order 11478
  • Executive Order 12106
  • 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1614
  • EEOC Management Directive 110 (EEO MD-110)
• Procedural Requirements
• Time Limit
• EEO Counselor Must Give Written Notices
• Special Procedures for Related Processes
• Rights and Responsibilities of Aggrieved Person
  • Class Complaint Procedures and Responsibilities of Class Agent
  • EEO Complaint Process
• Other Rights
  • Entitlement to Official Time
  • Attorney's Fees

Lesson 2: Resolution Efforts

• Step One -- Preparing for EEO Counseling
  • Discuss Your EEO Counselor Duties With Your Supervisor
  • Arrange for EEO Counseling Space
• Step Two -- Conducting Initial Interviews
  • Representative
  • Timely Contact
• The Actual Interview
  • Give Basic Information
  • Listen to the Allegation
  • Analyze the Allegation
  • Determine Resolution Desired
  • Close the Initial Interview
• Meeting With Management
  • Explain Procedures
  • Explain the Matter
  • Get Management's Response
  • Negotiations
  • Reasonable Accommodation
• Step Three -- Assessing the Situation
  • Consider Factors in Specific Counseling Situation
  • Nature of Situation and Characteristics of Dispute
  • Relationships
  • Additional Information
  • Parties' Participation
  • Counselor's Participation
  • Develop Resolution Strategy
  • Conduct Inquiry
• Step Four -- Determining Resolution Techniques
  • Basic Resolution Techniques
  • Barriers to Informal Resolution
  • Joint Meetings
  • Separate Meetings
  • Telephone Communication
• Step Five -- Attempting Resolution
  • Joint Meeting Techniques
  • Separate Meeting Techniques
  • Telephone Communication Techniques

• Step Six - Terminating Counseling
  • Time Limits
  • Extension
  • Right to File a Formal Complaint
  • Successful Resolution
  • Settlement Agreement
  • Unsuccessful Resolution
  • Final Interview
  • Right to File Formal Complaint
  • Notice of Right to File a Formal Complaint
  • EEO Counselor's Report
  • Contents of the Report
  • Counselor's Notes
  • Briefing EEO Officer
  • Case Studies

Lesson 4: Formal Complaint

• Aggrieved person files a formal complaint
• Agency acknowledges receipt of complaint
• Agency dismisses
• Complainant appeals to EEOC, Office of Federal Operations (OFO)
• Upholds agency dismissal
• Orders agency to accept
• Agency accepts
• Investigation
• Investigative file and notice issued
• Hearing
• Final agency decision
• Appeals to EEOC, Office of Federal Operations (OFO)
• Civil action in U.S. District Court
• Complainant satisfied - matter resolved

Lesson 5: Interviews

• Psychology of Interviewing
• Room Arrangement
• Body Language
• Communication Techniques
• Questions
  • Direct
  • Open-End
  • Reflective
  • Unfinished
• Other Techniques
• Conducting Interviews
  • Opening
  • Put Person At Ease
  • Explain Your Role
  • Explain Rights and Procedures
  • Explain Planned Actions
  • Wrap-Up
• Interviews: Ideal Versus Real
  • Quiet Person
  • Talkative Person
  • Argumentative Person
  • "The Wanderer"
• Your Goal
• Counselor Responsibility
• Initial Interview Checklist
• Guide for Conducting a Joint Meeting
• Guide to Age Complaints
• Civil Action
• EEO Complaint Process
• EEO Officer Checklist