Policy on Equal Employment
October 2, 2007
To: All NIH Employees
From: Director, NIH
Subject: Policy on Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is re-issuing the Policy Statement on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity Management to reaffirm my commitment to achieving the goal of a discrimination-free work environment. This includes maintaining an atmosphere where employment opportunities are open to all candidates. EEO means that decisions are made on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation (through the Department of Health and Human Service's [DHHS] Policy on Sexual Orientation), disability, or reprisal for engaging in a prior protected activity. It is critical that the NIH, as a premier biomedical research institution, continue to uphold its reputation for excellence by recruiting, training, and retaining employees from all backgrounds who are committed to working to reach our common goal of better health for everyone.
As an agency within the DHHS, the NIH will continue to develop and
implement essential elements of a model EEO program, as defined by
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Management Directive-715
(MD-715). These elements are the following: demonstrated commitment from agency leadership;
integration of EEO into the agency's strategic mission; management
and program accountability; proactive prevention of unlawful discrimination;
efficiency; and responsiveness and legal compliance. The MD-715 process
is designed to identify and eliminate barriers to full participation
in the workforce for minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities.
In addition to our actions to eliminate employment barriers,
we must make efforts to eliminate discrimination and harassment
in any form at the NIH. Employees and applicants who believe they have
been discriminated against may exercise their right to seek redress by contacting staff of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management. No reprisal against an applicant or employee is permitted.
Any manager or supervisor, who discriminates or retaliates
against an employee is subject to disciplinary action in accordance
with the NIH Table of Penalties.
I am confident that continued support of this policy throughout the NIH
will demonstrate an inclusive and fair work environment that compliments
our noble mission.
/s/
Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.
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