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Equal Employment Opportunity

The Civil Rights Division (CRD) ensures that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) complies with the laws, regulations, policies, and guidance that prohibit discrimination against employees and applicants in the federal workplace. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws prohibit discrimination in employment to ensure fair hiring, competition in promotions, and equal access to training/development opportunities.

CRD is responsible for processing and encouraging the resolution of informal and formal EEO complaints. It provides EEO counseling, administers the Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, and adjudicate disputes related to EEO laws and regulations in accordance with applicable federal EEO practices and procedures. We are also responsible for providing EEO training to all employees.

EEO claims may be brought against FNS by employees or applicants who believe they have been discriminated against based on their race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and expression, sexual orientation), parental or familial status, political affiliation, age (40+), pregnancy, marital status, disability, genetic information, or involvement in protected EEO complaint activity.

CRD provides guidance on diversity and internal EEO related matters. Additionally, to ensure equal employment opportunity, CRD works with the Human Resources Division and Diversity and Inclusion on matters relating to reasonable accommodations and Special Emphasis Programs. Reasonable accommodation procedures and special emphasis initiatives promote equal employment opportunity within FNS’s workforce.

For more information on reasonable accommodations, contact the reasonable accommodation program manager:

Talent Management Branch, Human Resources Division
Reasonable Accommodations Program
Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services (FNCS)
fns.hrd.reasonableaccommodations@usda.gov
844-208-2364

Additional Resources

Page updated: November 29, 2023