Equal Employment Opportunity Program

The Department of the Navy (DON) is committed to a culture of respect where EEO is not only the law, but is recognized as laying the foundation for an environment where everyone is valued, understood, and included. Equality of opportunity is an essential element of readiness and is vital for attracting, developing and retaining a top-quality workforce to accomplish the DON and U.S. Pacific Fleet’s strategic mission.

Discrimination complaints

Federal law makes it illegal to discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender, sexual orientation and pregnancy), national origin, disability, genetic information or age (40 or older). A person who files an EEO complaint, participates in an investigation of a complaint, or opposes an illegal employment practice is protected from retaliation.

Employees or applicants who believe they have been discriminated against have the right to file a complaint of discrimination.

How to file a complaint

If you believe you have been subject to discrimination, you must make contact with an EEO counselor within 45 calendar days from the date of the matter alleged to be discriminatory — or in the case of a personnel action, within 45 calendar days of its effective date. If you make contact after 45 calendar days, you will still receive EEO pre-complaint counseling; however, if you file a formal complaint it may be dismissed for untimeliness.

Once contact has been made, the EEO counselor will schedule an initial interview to go over the complaint process, including your rights and responsibilities.