A Message to the DOE Community from the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity –
We hope that you are staying healthy and safe during the pandemic.
Given the current circumstances related to COVID-19 and recent guidance issued by the Department, the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity (OCRD) is operating in telework mode until further notice. As a result, OCRD does not have any personnel working on-site. Therefore, OCRD is unable to receive faxed or hand-delivered documents at this time related to equal employment opportunity complaints; external civil rights matters; or other civil rights, equity, and diversity matters. You may continue to send documents related to equal employment opportunity complaints; external civil rights matters; or other civil rights, equity, and diversity matters to our office by mail (mailing address: Office of Civil Rights and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave, SW, Room 5B-168, Washington, DC 20585). However, given that our office does not currently have personnel on-site, there will be a delay in processing any documents sent to our office by mail.
As an alternative, we strongly encourage individuals who need to submit documents related to equal employment opportunity complaints; external civil rights matters; or other civil rights, equity, and diversity matters to submit such documents to the central OCRD email address: civilrights@hq.doe.gov.
If you need to reach an EEO Counselor or other member of the OCRD Team, you may call our main office phone number at 202-586-2218. If you leave a voice message, an OCRD Team Member will return your phone call.
Thank you for your understanding during this time.
MISSION
Ensure prompt, fair, and equal treatment of all DOE employees, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of federal financial assistance related to the execution of the Department of Energy’s mission.
VISION
The Department of Energy as a model employer known for its commitment to equal opportunity for all, its cultivation of a high-performing workforce that empowers all its employees to achieve superior results, its promotion of accountability to ourselves, our customers and the American taxpayers, its focus on treating its employees, stakeholders, recipients of financial assistance and members of the public with dignity and respect, and its reputation for upholding all laws, including the prompt enforcement of internal and external civil rights laws.
OUR JURISDICTION
The Office of Civil Rights administers DOE policies, practices, and procedures related internal and external civil rights.
The OCR administers the DOE’s internal civil rights programs under the following statutory mandates: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Equal Pay Act of 1963; and the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act of 2008.
The OCR administers the DOE’s external civil rights programs pursuant to the following statutory mandates: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI); Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504); and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (ADA).
OUR ACTIVITIES
Internal Civil Rights Program:
- Formulates and executes EEO policies and practices for the Department;
- Oversees the EEO complaint process at DOE Headquarters;
- Provides technical advice and guidance to DOE Field Sites and Program and Staff Offices related to anti-discrimination statutes;
- Conducts trend analyses related to EEO complaints for DOE Program and Staff Offices;
- Develops and deploys No FEAR Act training;
- Prepares and disseminates reports to Energy Department officials, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and other interested federal agencies; and
- Reviews policy implications of legislative proposals, Executive Orders, regulations, and administrative actions to determine their impact on the Department’s internal civil rights functions.
External Civil Rights Program:
- Adjudicates complaints filed against recipients of DOE financial assistance pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Age Discrimination Act;
- Reviews Pre-award Assurances of compliance with DOE civil rights regulations by DOE recipients of financial assistance;
- Conducts post-award compliance reviews of recipients of DOE financial assistance pursuant to Title IX;
- Provides technical assistance and outreach to DOE Field Sites and DOE Program and Staff Offices related to external civil rights statutes;
- Prepares and disseminates reports to Energy Department officials, the U.S. Department of Justice, and other interested federal agencies; and
- Reviews policy implications of legislative proposals, Executive Orders, regulations, and administrative actions to determine their impact on the Department’s external civil rights functions.
Questions? Call us at (202) 586-2218.
