Equal Employment Opportunity Program Division

Washington Headquarters Services, Equal Employment Opportunity Programs (EEOP) is responsible for processing complaints of discrimination in accordance with 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1614. Administrative Instruction No. 9 outlines the agency’s complaint process.

EEOP is the agency sole authorized source to process allegations of discrimination within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Defense Agencies and Field Activities serviced by Washington Headquarters Services.

Civilian employees and/or applicants who believe they have been discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, age (40 and older), disability (mental or physical), or reprisal for participation in previous EEO activity, must contact EEOP within 45 days of the date the alleged discriminatory act occurred or within 45 days of the effective date of an alleged discriminatory personnel action.

Prior to filing a formal complaint, aggrieved persons who believe they have been discriminated against will be assigned an EEO Counselor for informal pre-complaint counseling. As an alternative to traditional EEO counseling, parties may choose to participate in the Collaborative Resolution Program, which offers informal, neutral, voluntary, and confidential methods for early dispute resolution.

The EEOPD is responsible for managing and administering the following programs for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff and activities serviced by WHS: