Diversity.jpg

The primary goal of the equal employment opportunity program is to manage workforce diversity and to maintain a discrimination-free workplace. This is high on the list of critical functions performed by federal managers and supervisors. Equal Employment is the law of the land. It is the right of all people to be protected from discrimination in employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin and age, mental or physical disability, or sexual orientation.
The EEO Office ensures equal employment opportunity for civilians under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The History of Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25—Christmas Day—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

Picture1.jpgIn the early years of Christianity​​​​​, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25.  

It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. 

By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion.

Picture2.pngOn Christmas, believers attended church, then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today’s Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the “lord of misrule”, and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined “debt” to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens.

In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.

The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.

After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Christmas wasn’t declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.

Picture3.pngIt wasn’t until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s piqued American interest in the holiday?

The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city’s first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain member of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America.

Picture4.pngIn 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving’s mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving’s mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving’s fictitious celebrants enjoyed “ancient customs,” including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving’s book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended—in fact, many historians say that Irving’s account actually “invented” tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season.

Picture5.pngAlso, around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story’s message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.

In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards and gift-giving.

Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.

Picture6.pngThe legend of Santa Claus can be traced back to a monk named St. Nicholas who was born in Turkey around A. D. 280. St. Nicholas gave away all his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick, becoming known as the protector of children and sailors.

St. Nicholas first entered American popular culture in the late 18th century in New York, when Dutch families gathered to honor the anniversary of the death of “Sint Nikolaas” (Dutch for Saint Nicholas), or “Sinter Klaas” for short. “Santa Claus” draws his name from this abbreviation.

Picture7.pngIn 1822, Episcopal minister Clement Clarke Moore wrote a Christmas poem called “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” more popularly known today by its first line: “‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.” The poem depicted Santa Claus as a jolly man who flies from home to home on a sled driven by reindeer to deliver toys.

The iconic version of Santa Claus as a jolly man in red with a white beard and a sack of toys was immortalized in 1881, when political cartoonist Thomas Nast drew on Moore's poem to create the image of Old Saint Nick we know today.

Six Essential Elements of a Model EEO Program

When establishing a model EEO program, an agency should incorporate into the design a structure for effective management, accountability and self-analysis which will ensure program success and compliance with EEO MD-715. Agency personnel programs and policies should be evaluated regularly to ascertain whether such programs have any barriers that tend to limit or restrict equitable opportunities for open competition in the workplace.

The six essential elements for a model EEO program, as described in EEO-MD-715, at PART A, II. A-F, and PART B, III. A-F, are as follows:
1. Demonstrated commitment from agency leadership: Post EEO Policy Statements in all offices and on bulletin boards. Demonstrate the value of EEO to the agency and employees. Seek input (e.g., using employee surveys and focus groups, discussions with employee advisory groups, etc.) regarding the workplace environment. Provide/request EEO training as needed.
2. Integration of EEO into the agency's strategic mission: Encourage regular visits from the EEO Office to your work environment. The EEO team can assist leaders with evaluating workforce demographics and trends.
3. Management and program accountability: Make clear that all managers and supervisors share responsibility with EEO program and human resources officials for the successful implementation of EEO programs.
4. Proactive prevention of unlawful discrimination: Ensure all your employees attend EEO training (Garrison Riley Onboarding Welcome [GROW], SHARP, EEO, Reasonable Accommodations) whether or not training is mandatory.
5. Efficiency: Ensure your approach to a situation is efficient, fair and impartial. Managers should always be receptive to resolving issues at the lowest level.
6. Responsiveness and legal compliance: Ensure all final Negotiated Settlement Agreements (NSA) are monitored for compliance and timeliness.

**Don't wait for a complaint to be filed to do something! **

 

Special Emphasis Programs

Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) are an integral part of the Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights Program. The purpose of these programs is to ensure that agencies take affirmative steps to provide equal opportunity to all employees in all areas in the employee life cycle. The term, “Special Emphasis Programs,” refers specifically to employment related programs which focus special attention on groups that are conspicuously absent or have a lower than expected participation rate in a specific occupational category or grade level in the agency’s work force.

The goals of the Special Emphasis Programs are to:

  • Improve employment and advancement opportunities for their respective constituents in the Federal service.
  • Identify systemic causes of discrimination against minorities, women, and people with disabilities.
  • Seek ways to help minorities, women, and people with disabilities to advance by using their skills more fully.
  • Monitor agency progress in eliminating discrimination and adverse impact on minorities, women, and people with disabilities in employment and agency programs.
  • Educate Federal employees and managers about the extent of various forms of discrimination within the Federal service.

Special Emphasis Programs

Black Employment Program; Federal Women’s Program; Hispanic Employment Program; Asian/Pacific Islander American Program; American Indian/Alaskan Native Program; Individuals with Disabilities Program (Workforce Recruiting Program for College Students w/Disabilities).

Special Emphasis Observances

  • January – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • February – African American History Month
  • March – National Women’s History Month
  • May – Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
  • June – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month
  • June 19th – Juneteenth
  • September 15th – October 15th – National Hispanic Heritage Month
  • October – National Disability Employment Awareness Month
  • November – National American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month

Minority College Relations Program

  • Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs): Donnelly College, Kansas City, KS; Dodge City Community College, Dodge City, KS; Garden City Community College, Garden City, KS
  • Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Harris Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO; Lincoln University, Jefferson, MO
  • Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs): Haskell Indian Nations University, Lawrence, KS

Educational Links (TCUs/HSIs/HBCUs)

American Indian Higher Education Consortium

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education

National Minority and Women’s Organizations

Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC)

Federally Employed Women, Inc. (FEW)

Hispanic Employment Program Managers (HEPM) Council

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives (NAHFE)

National Image, Inc. (Image)

National Organization of Women (NOW)

National Urban League (NUL)

Society of American Indian Government Employees

Blacks in Government (BIG)

National Latina Symposium

More can be found in this link!

Hostile Work Environment

      • A hostile work environment, as defined by the Department of the Army, is caused by any conduct, implicit or explicit, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to alter the terms, conditions, or privileges of the employee’s employment or otherwise create a hostile or abusive work environment.
      • Examples of unlawful harassment can include: unwelcome conduct, intimidation, ridicule, insult, offensive comments or jokes, slurs, name-calling, threats, or physical conduct. These would be based on a Title VII basis, which are race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40+), disability, genetic information, or reprisal.
      • Keep in mind that the harasser can be anyone ranging from supervisor (whether your own or from another section), fellow employees, contractors, vendors, and customers.
      • What should you do if someone harasses you?
        • Ask the offender to stop the unwanted conduct.
          • If you are uncomfortable in doing so, reach out to your supervisor and/or chain of command.
        • You can also report this to the EEO office, Inspector General, CPAC LMER personnel, union officials, or chaplains.
        • If you witness or become aware of this type of conduct, it is your responsibility to report it.
          • SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
      • Keep in mind that management is responsible for ensuring your work environment is free of any type of harassing behavior and address these types of behaviors to put a stop to it. This means: if a complaint is made, management will be held responsible for the negative conduct during the complaint processing, NOT the harasser, because they are expected to know what is going on for the areas they are responsible for.

Advisory Services

Advises all levels of management regarding EEO related issues. Includes providing program overview, conducting assessments, recommending courses of action to supervisors, participating in strategic planning and special committees, presenting briefings, researching special problems, and conducting sensing session.

Personal Assistive Services

Request Process

  • Notify supervisor.*
    * Guests and visitors should contact the EEO Disability
    Program Manager (DPM) directly.
  • Complete Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.
    (Contact EEO DPM for required forms if necessary.)
  • Provide request form to supervisor.
    • Supervisor will forward request form to EEO Disability Program Manager
    • (785) 239-3263
  • DPM will provide assistance and help with locating resources as needed.

LGBTQ Commonly used Acronyms

The four letters of LGBT have been used since the 1990s, but the acronym has come to be an evolving abbreviation following an increased awareness of the need to be inclusive of other sexual identities and offer better representation. In honor of Pride Month, we have compiled a list of commonly used acronyms for your awareness. The terms themselves can be overwhelming to some and may even overlap, which may confuse those who are not a part of the LGBTQ community. How do I address this individual? What should they be called? Why so many acronyms? A good approach/start is to familiarize yourself with the substantial list of labels under the LGBTQ umbrella.

First the basics, LGBT:

  • L (Lesbian): A lesbian is a woman/woman-aligned person who is attracted to other women.
  • G (Gay): Gay is usually a term used to refer to men/men-aligned individuals who are only attracted to other men. Lesbians can also be referred to as gay. Today, bisexual and pansexual people sometimes use gay to casually refer to themselves when they talk about their similar gender attraction.
  • B (Bisexual): Bisexual indicates an attraction to more than one gender. The recognition of bisexual individuals is important, since there have been periods when people who identify as bisexual have been misunderstood as being gay. This used to mean attraction to both men and women, but recently the term refers to someone who is attracted to two or more genders out of all the gender identities. Bisexuality has included transgender, binary and non-binary individuals.
  • T (Transgender): Transgender is a term which indicates that a person's gender identity is different from the gender associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. This term can be associated with Trans, Trans* and Trans+, which acts as a more inclusive term for gender non-conforming and non-binary individuals.

Next, LGBTQ:

  • Q (Queer or Questioning): Queer is an umbrella term for anyone who is non-cisgender or not heterosexual. Initially queer was used as a slur, but has been reclaimed by LGBTQ communities. Some still find the term offensive and it should not be placed on all members of the community. Questioning refers to people who may be unsure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

From the basic LGBTQ acronym, it expands to LGBTQIA:

  • I (Intersex): Refers to people who naturally have biological traits which do not match what is typically identified as male or female. There are many different variations (e.g., XXY chromosomes, ambiguous genitalia or internal sex organs). This term is not linked to sexual orientation or gender identity; Intersex individuals can have different sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions.
  • A (Asexual): An umbrella term used for individuals who do not experience, or experience only a low level, of sexual desire. This identity can include those who are interested in having romantic relationships, and those who are not. Also referred to as “Ace,” a person who does not identify with any sexual orientation.
  • A (Ally): People who identify as cisgender and straight, but believe in social and legal equality for LGBTIQ+ people, are referred to as allies.

In many contexts, the “A” in LGBTQIA will only refer to Asexual individuals. The “A” is more likely to be short for both Ally and Asexual when LGBTQIA is being used to talk about a broader community that believes in the human rights of LGBTIQ people.

And finally, adding on a + (plus) making it LGBTQIA+:

  • + (Plus): The 'plus' is used to signify all of the gender identities and sexual orientations which are not specifically covered by the other five initials. The term could indicate other gender identities on the spectrum that have not been defined yet.

Below are some additional “+ (plus)” identities in no particular order:

  • Cisgender: One whose gender identity and expression matches the sex they were assigned at birth. Also referred to as heterosexual or straight.
  • Pansexual: A term used to describe a person who is sexually, romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender identity; can be referred as ‘Pan.” There is some overlap of this term with Bisexual.
  • Polysexual: People who have romantic, sexual, or affectional desire for more than one gender. This term has some overlap with bisexuality and pansexuality.
  • Gender Non-conforming (or G.N.C.): One who expresses gender outside traditional norms associated with masculinity or femininity. Not all gender-nonconforming people are transgender, and some transgender people express gender in conventionally masculine or feminine ways.
  • Gender Fluid: A term used by people whose identity shifts or fluctuates. Sometimes these individuals may identify or express themselves as more masculine on some days, and more feminine on others.
  • Gender-Neutral: Someone who prefers not to be described by a specific gender, but prefers “they” as a singular pronoun.
  • Non-Binary: A person who identifies as neither male nor female and sees themselves outside the gender binary.
  • Gender Queer: Another term often used to describe someone whose gender identity is outside the strict male/female binary. They may exhibit both traditionally masculine and feminine qualities or neither.
  • Androgyne: A person with a gender that is both masculine and feminine or in between masculine and feminine.
  • M.A.A.B. /F.A.A.B. /U.A.A.B.: Male-assigned at birth/female-assigned at birth/unassigned at birth.
  • Two-Spirit or 2-Sprit: A tradition from Indigenous Native American identity that encompasses both male and female spirits. There are a variety of definitions and feelings about the term “two spirit” — and this term does not resonate for everyone; it is a cultural term reserved for those who identify as Indigenous Native American.

Keep in mind, this list may not include all acronyms as it is always growing and represents a diverse range of sexual orientations. It is important to know that the terms serve as an effort to be more inclusive and represent gender identity. Gender identity is defined as an individual’s personal sense of their own gender and how a person labels themselves. Gender identity is changing and some individuals are no longer limiting themselves to society’s standards. These labels help build community and encourage self-expression. It could be a complex topic and some may find it sensitive to discuss; therefore, it is normal to feel like you do not know where to start. When asking or inquiring, it is important to be open-mined and respectful — especially if you are not familiar with an acronym. This is new to a lot of people and it is also important for members in the LGBTQIA+ community to be understanding, open-minded and patient.

EEO Complaint Process Flowchart

EEO_Flowchart Complaint Process.jpg

  AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

  BUILDING ACCESSIBILITY

 REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS

Reasonable Accommodations are a form of assistance that would allow an employee who has an underlying medical condition to perform the essential function of their position without causing an undue hardship. The Reasonable Accommodation process is interactive between employees and their supervisor with recommendations from the EEO office. Employees are entitled to an effective Reasonable Accommodation. If the employee's underlying medical condition is not obvious, medical documentation needs to have the diagnosis, prognosis ,and how the requested accommodation would assist the employee with performing the essential functions of their position.

AVAILABLE EEO TRAININGS

Policy Letters

Army Anti-Harassment Policy:   AR 690-12 Appendix D
Secretary of the Army-Army Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Policy Statement
Secretary of the Army-Civilian Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Garrison Policy #2 - EEO and Affirmative Employment
Garrison Policy #3 - EEO Policy on Anti-Harassment
Garrison Policy #4 - EEO Policy on Commitment to Alternative Dispute Resolution
Garrison Policy #5 - EEO Policy on Reasonable Accommodation
Civilian Human Resources Agency EEO Policy
 

Publications

Filing a Discrimination Complaint - Civilian Employees
EEO Quarterly Newsletter
Reasonable Accommodations: AR 690-12 Appendix C
Results of the FY24 Command Climate Survey
 FY 23 MD-715 Executive Summary