How do I initiate a Pre-Complaint EEO counseling?

1. To initiate counseling under the National EEO Pre-Complaint Process, current and former FAA employees or applicants may contact the National Intake Unit within 45 days of the matter alleged to be discriminatory, or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 days of the effective date of the action.^[1]
2. The National Intake Unit will receive these calls and request information to assist the caller with going forward in the EEO Pre-Complaint Process. During this conversation the National Intake Unit will explain the difference between traditional EEO Counseling and the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes. Callers will be asked to choose one of the processes for attempting to resolve their allegation of discrimination.
3. Once the National Intake Unit has the required information, the information will be forwarded to the appropriate Civil Rights Office staff member to continue processing the complaint.

What does the law say?

Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1614, provides that employees or applicants for employment who believe they have been discriminated against due to race, color, religion, sex (including sexual/gender harassment), national origin, age, genetic information, disability (physical or mental), or reprisal may file an EEO discrimination complaint.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) Office of Civil Rights provided procedures for processing complaints of Discrimination based on sexual orientation effective March 7, 1998. These procedures specify that DOT employees or applicants for DOT employment may also initiate a discrimination complaint based on sexual orientation. Regardless the aggrieved must still contact the FAA National Intake Unit.

^[1] If the aggrieved person initially contacts the Office of Civil Rights or an EEO Counselor, or anyone connected to the EEO process, then that office or person shall refer the aggrieved person to the National Intake Unit and contact the National Intake Unit to ensure that the pre-complaint process has been initiated.