Office of Civil Rights

It is the policy of the Department of State to provide equal employment opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 years or older), disability, or genetic information. The Department commits to a workplace free from reprisal for prior EEO activity. EEO pre-complaint, complaint, and resolution procedures are set forth in 29 CFR 1614.

The Department of State is committed to providing a workplace that is free from discriminatory harassment and from sexual harassment.

It is the policy of the U.S. Department of State to provide personal assistance services (PAS) for qualified individuals with targeted disabilities.

It is the policy of the U.S. Department of State to comply fully with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 791 et seq. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued regulations at 29 C.F.R. Part 1630 implementing the provisions of the law for federal agencies.

On January 3, 2017, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued an update to Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1614.203(e)(2), each agency shall make an affirmative action plan for the hiring, placement, and advancement of individuals with disabilities and make it available to the public.

If you are a member of the public, and you believe that the Department, a U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulate, Consular Agency, or one of the Department’s funding recipients has discriminated against you because of your race, color, national origin, or disability, you may wish to file a complaint with the Department’s Office of Civil Rights (S/OCR).  In most cases, you must file your complaint within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.