Learn EEO and Build Model Workplaces

Spring is in the air, which means the federal equal employment opportunity (EEO) training season is once again underway.

This is an ideal time for employees and managers alike to learn more about EEO best practices, laws, rules and regulations to help create a model federal workplace.

A smart and effective way to learn the nuts-and-bolts of EEO issues is through comprehensive federal training offered by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Why is this important, you ask?

As pointed out in a previous post (How Would You Improve the Federal Sector EEO Process?):

“EEO has always been a cornerstone of the federal civil service. The government prides itself on striving to be a model employer and setting an example for the private sector.”

It’s also important because EEO is the law.

New Training Calendar Announced

On Monday, the EEOC announced the 2015 Federal Training Course Calendar – which is available online via the EEOC Training Institute. The first course offerings begin in early April — and seats tend to fill up quickly.

Carlton M. Hadden, Director of EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations (OFO), says:

“Proactive prevention is the best medicine to stop discrimination before it starts. We encourage the federal sector community to learn from the experts and help foster a model federal workplace.”

The EEOC offers a variety of expert training geared specifically for federal employees and managers. The interactive courses are also ideal for EEO counselors and investigators, agency representatives and attorneys, as well as anyone else interested in EEO issues and practices affecting the federal workplace, according to the EEOC.

Some course offerings are designed to meet the training requirements for EEO counselors and investigators based on Management Directive (MD) 110 and related guidance.

Other courses are tailored to meet the needs of EEO practitioners responsible for conducting MD-715 barrier analyses, drafting final agency decisions as well as letters of acceptance and dismissal.

EEO Course Offerings

Training courses include the following:

• Barrier Analysis
• Basic MD-715
• Counselor Refresher
• Disability Program Manager (basic and advanced)
• Drafting Final Agency Actions
• Drafting Letters of Acceptance & Dismissal
• EEO Laws Refresher
• Investigator Refresher
• New Counselor and New Investigator
• EEO and HR for Managers & Supervisors (joint EEOC/OPM program)

Also, as noted in a prior post:

Fostering EEO can help government agencies improve recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of the most talented employees – including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and the next generation of leadership.

So don’t delay, learn EEO today and help create a model federal workplace at your agency.

DBG

Author’s Note: You can follow the EEOC’s Office of Federal Operations on Twitter @EEOC_OFO for training updates and other news about federal sector EEO issues.

• In case you missed it, also check out: How to Prevent Harassment in the Federal Workplace (March 6, 2015)

David B. Grinberg is part of the GovLoop Featured Blogger program, where we feature blog posts by government voices from all across the country (and world!). To see more Featured Blogger posts, click here.