McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. –
On May 15, 2002, President Bush signed the Notification and Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and Retaliation, or No FEAR Act, into law.
No FEAR training is being conducted for all federal civilian employees at McGuire through Nov. 30, but it is recommended the training be completed no later than Nov. 14. This training is required to be conducted annually for the purpose of increasing awareness about the No Fear Act and its requirements.
"Agencies cannot operate effectively if discrimination is practiced or tolerated," said Catherine McClean, McGuire Equal Opportunity deputy director. "Congressional findings revealed evidence that points to chronic problems of discrimination and retaliation against federal employees.
"Notification of discrimination and whistleblower laws should increase compliance with equal employment opportunity laws and regulation; annual reports to congress should improve oversight; and payments for discrimination and whistleblower judgments and settlements should improve agency accountability," she said.
The No Fear Act, which became effective Oct. 1, 2003, requires that federal agencies be more accountable for violations of anti-discrimination and whistleblower protection law by requiring agencies to:
-Notify employees and applicants for employment about their rights under the discrimination and whistleblower laws.
-Post statistical data relating to federal sector equal employment opportunity complaints on its public Web site.
-Ensure that their managers have adequate training in the management of a diverse workforce, early and alternative conflict resolution and essential communications skills.
-Conduct studies on the trends and causes of complaints of discrimination.
-Implement new measures to improve the complaint process and the work environment.
-Initiate timely and appropriate discipline against employees who engage in misconduct related to discrimination or reprisal.
-Reimburse the judgment fund for any discrimination and whistleblower related settlements or judgments reached in federal court.
-Produce annual reports of status and progress to Congress, the Attorney General and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
It is recommended that military supervisors of civilian employees also take this training to ensure they become knowledgeable concerning the No FEAR Act requirements. To access the training, visit
https://golearn.csd.disa.mil/kc/login/login.asp. If you have any problems accessing the program, contact your unit training manager.
For more information, call Catherine McClean at (609) 754-8273 or visit the EO office located at 2906 Tuskegee Airman Ave., Suites 203-207.