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 45 days of the
incident, if you are an employee, or 30
days of the incident, if you are a trainee
or Volunteer. 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) 6922139, via e-mail at adp@peacecorps.gov,
or by mail at Peace Corps, OCRD, 1111
20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20526.

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

PEACE CORPS POLICY

PROHIBITS DISCRIMINATION
and HARASSMENT Just
Because of.
Race
Age (40 or over)
Sex/Gender Discrimination
(Includes Sexual Harassment)
Religious Beliefs
Disabilities
National Origin
Color
Reprisal/Retaliation
Sexual Orientation
Marital or Parental Status
Political Affiliation
Gender Identity/Expression
Genetic Information

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who can file a HARASSMENT
complaint?
A HARASSMENT complaint can be filed by
any Peace Corps employee, employee
applicant, volunteer or volunteer applicant
who
believes
they
have
been
discriminated against based on their
gender, national origin, color, race,
disability, age (over 40), religion, or
retaliated against for their involvement in
the complaint process.
Is it possible to remain anonymous
during the complaint process?
Yes, although it may be more difficult to
resolve your issue, you may remain
anonymous during the informal stage of
the process.
Can a Complainant have someone
represent them during the complaint
process?

Office of Civil Rights &

Diversity

Peace Corps
Harassment Guide

David King
OCRD Director
(202) 692-2137
dking@peacecorps.gov
Janet Bernal
EEO & Diversity Training Specialist
(202) 692-2113
jbernal@peacecorps.gov
Melanie Huckstep
Management & Program Analyst
(202) 692-2145
mhuckstep@peacecorps.gov

Harassment Information
Brochure

Yes, you may designate a representative

as long as it will not cause a conflict of
interest.
What action can management take
against an employee who files a
HARASSMENT complaint?
Section 704(a) of Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 as amended, protects
an employee from reprisal and/or
retaliation because of their HARASSMENT
activity and involvement in the complaint
process.

Fax: (202) 692-1251

ocrd@peacecorps.gov

Office of Civil Rights &

Diversity