OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS

& DIVERSITY

CONTENTS
OCRD Mission Statement .3
Peace Corps Volunteers Guide 3
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Complaint Process
Peace Corps Harassment Guide .5
Peace Corps Policy on the Prevention and Elimination of
Harassment in the Workplace
How Is a Charge of Discrimination and/or ..6
Harassment Filed Outside the United Stat es?
Peace Corps Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement ..7
Peace Corps Policy on the Prevention and Elimination of ..8
Harassment in the Workplace

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Office of Civil Rights & Diversity

MISSION STATEMENT
It is the mission of the Office of Civil Rights and Diversity (OCRD) to provide leadership and
guidance on all civil rights, equal employment opportunity and diversity matters; and to address
issues of discrimination and harassment, including sexual harassment, in the recruitment/
employment of staff and in the recruitment/service of Volunteers/Trainees. OCRD addresses
issues of discrimination and harassment based on race, color, national origin, age (40),
sex/gender, religion, disability, reprisal/retaliation, political/union affiliation, marital/parental
status, sexual orientation, gender identity and genetic information. OCRD encourages
management, employees, and Volunteers to value diversity in order to build and maintain a
culture that values inclusion of all employees and Volunteers.

Peace Corps Volunteers Guide

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) COMPLAINT

PROCESS
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). For
Volunteers and Volunteer applicants, an EEO complaint must be filed within 30 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.

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WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE INFORMAL COMPLAINT PROCESS?

EEO Counseling
OCRD assigns a counselor who 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:
Explain the process and advise you in writing of your rights and responsibilities.
Listen and help you identify your claims of employment discrimination.
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.

ADR
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
OCRD 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.

WHAT IF NO RESOLUTION IS REACHED?

If your claim is not resolved during the informal counseling or ADR process, you will be notified in
writing by your Counselor of your right to file a formal complaint against the Peace Corps.

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Peace Corps Harassment Guide

PEACE CORPS POLICY ON THE PREVENTION AND

ELIMINATION OF HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
The Peace Corps is committed to maintaining high standards of conduct in the workplace and
providing all employees, Volunteers, and trainees a work environment that is free from harassment
including sexual harassment, because of his or her race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40
or over), disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital or parental
status, political affiliation, union membership, genetic information, or history of participation in the
EEO process, grievance procedure, or any authorized complaint procedure. Examples of offensive
conduct include, but are not limited to:
Offensive verbal conduct such as obscene language, epithets, suggestive statements or
innuendo, or derogatory comments
Unwelcome physical conduct, such as touching or gestures
Creating or displaying offensive graphic materials in the workplace
Sexting and/or emailing sexually explicit or harassing messages
Retaliating against an employee, trainee or Volunteer for his or her opposition to
discrimination or participation in the discrimination complaint process
Harassment may occur when (1) submission to offensive conduct is made, either explicitly or
implicitly, a term or condition of an employee's employment or a trainee or Volunteer's service; (2)
submission to or rejection of offensive conduct by an individual is used as the basis for tangible
decisions affecting employment or a trainee or Volunteer's service; or (3) the offensive conduct
unreasonably interferes or is intended to interfere with an employee, trainee or Volunteer's
performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment.
If you want to preserve your right to file a claim of discrimination or harassment through the EEO
complaint process, you must contact the Office of Civil Rights & Diversity (OCRD) within 30 days of
the incident. To contact OCRD to report discrimination or harassment, to seek guidance or
counseling, or to file a claim of discrimination or harassment, you may contact OCRD by phone at
(202) 692-2139, via e-mail at ocrd@peacecorps.gov, or by mail at Peace Corps, OCRD, 1111 20th
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20526.

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HARASSMENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

YOUR RIGHTS
To be free of discrimination and/or
harassment
To request that any unwelcomed
behavior stop
To receive help from the CD and/or
ADP if initial request is ignored

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
Not to discriminate or harass others
To advise others that their behavior
is not welcome
Appropriate Dress: No revealing or
offensive/obscene logos
To report discrimination, harassment,
or fraternization that originates from
PC staff, PCV/Ts, Trainers to CD or
OCRD

How Is a Charge of Discrimination

and/or Harassment Filed Outside the
United States?
An individual alleging an EEO violation outside the U.S. should contact the
OCRD office within 30 days of the alleged incident at 202.692.2139 or at
ocrd@peacecorps.gov for complete information on the process.

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