Training Resources
Workforce diversity and inclusion are critical components of a 21st century
VA. Creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and productive workforce
rests with all employees at all levels within the organization. To that end,
ODI offers the following training resources.
Please note that these resources are being offered for your general awareness.
ODI strongly discourages the use of these materials in a classroom setting without
the facilitation a qualified trainer. VA organizations interested in scheduling
a face-to-face training session should contact
Brenda Martin.
We strongly recommend that contractors take the VA-wide Diversity, Inclusion, and
NoFEAR Training. The protections and obligations presented in the training
content do indeed apply to employees and anyone performing business with VA, including
contractors on a case by case basis. Determining whether a particular contract
employee is considered an “employee” for the purposes of the policy
is highly case-specific and subject to the “agency-test” principle whereby
the degree of control exercised over the contractor by the employer is assessed.
More often than not, long term, on-site contract employees are considered employees
and their discriminatory actions will impute liability to the Department.
For that reason, we recommend contractors take this training.
EEO, Diversity, and Conflict Management Training for
Managers and Supervisors - This online course from the Talent Management
System provides managers and supervisors with the knowledge and tools necessary
to meet their legal obligations and supervisory responsibilities in the areas of
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Reasonable Accommodation, Diversity and Inclusion,
and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Conflict Management. Educating our
managers and supervisors in these areas is key to making VA a fair, diverse, and
inclusive organization for the 21st century.
Prevention of Workplace Harassment/NoFEAR -
This online course from the Talent Management System outlines the rights federal
employees have under antidiscrimination and whistleblower laws and provide details
on how the No FEAR Act is being implemented.
Suspending Judgment: A Key to Being Culturally
Competent - Presentation on the cultural competencies required to suspend
judgment without compromising one’s own beliefs when faced with divergent
opinions and values systems. A text only
version is also available.
Cultural Competency - Provides definitions
of unconscious bias, the cultural competency continuum, examples of certain cultural
expectations and characteristics for patient care, generational awareness and women
veterans concerns.
LGBT for Federal Employees -
Provides overview of cultural competency as well legal resources.
LGBT Awareness and Workplace Inclusion - Provide information on creating an
inclusive work environment.
Office of Personnel Management
- A series of quick training videos on a range of subjects to help you achieve your
mission and important recruitment, hiring and diversity objectives.
VA Learning University - VA Learning University
(VALU) is VA's corporate university and supports Secretary Shinseki’s goal
of transforming VA into a 21st Century organization. Through VALU, VA provides competency-based
education, leadership development, learning and training tools to help VA employees
reach their career goals and improve their service to Veterans and their families.
Best of Training Media Review - ODI
is partnering with Training Media Review (TMR) to provide free access to objective
reviews of diversity training videos, books, software, and online cou rses. This
may help managers and supervisors better evaluate and select appropriate training
media while supporting EEOC's Management Directive 715 that addresses proactive
prevention of workplace discrimination. Professional trainers and other experienced
specialists write the reviews, and TMR does not sell products or receive subsidies
from training vendors.
EEOC Training Institute - The Training
Institute provides a wide variety of training programs to help employers understand,
prevent, and correct discrimination in the workplace.
Gov Online Learning Center - OPM's government
wide e-training service. Free courses cover sexual harassment, personnel practices,
and leading through change.
VA Pre-Conference Forum on 12/6/2011
6th Annual HR & EEO in the Federal Workplace on 4/12/2012
Technical Assistance Review SEPM Training at Agusta, GA