The Notification and Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and Retaliation (No FEAR) Act of 2002 (Public Law No. 107-174) was passed by both houses of Congress and was signed into law by President Bush on May 15, 2002. This landmark legislation became effective on October 1, 2003.
In 2020 the Elijah E. Cummings Federal Employee Anti-discrimination and Retaliation Act, also known as the ECA or H.R. 135 (116th), was developed to amend the No FEAR Act of 2002 in order to strengthen Federal anti-discrimination laws enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and expand accountability within the Federal Government.
The intent of the Act and Amendment is to help ensure that federal agencies...Demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that employees who pursue claims under the federal administrative equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaint process and who engage in whistleblower activities are protected and are not retaliated against; and
Act more expeditiously to resolve complaints that are raised at the administrative level when it is appropriate to do so.
In addition, the No FEAR Act and ECA requires federal agencies to...Notify employees and applicants for employment about their rights and remedies applicable to employees under this law cited in section 201(c) (Title 5, United States Code, Section 2302(b));
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 reach in Federal court; and
Produce annual reports of status and progress to Congress, the Attorney General, and the U.S. Equal Employment Commission.
Independent Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program to ensure that there is a barrier between the EEO offices and Office of Human Resources (OHR) and Office of General Counsel (OGC).
Publish all notices of final agency action or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) decision involving a finding of discrimination both physically and electronically within 90 days of finding and post for up to 1 (one) year.
Track complaints of discrimination and include a notation of any disciplinary action taken against an employee found of committing discrimination or retaliation.
EEOC may refer matters from Federal Agencies which resulted in a Finding of discrimination directly to the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).
Any employee who has authority to take, recommend, or approve any personnel action (typically a manager or supervisor) shall not implement or enforce a nondisclosure policy that prohibits or restricts an employee from disclosing information relating to:
a violation of any lawn, rule, or regulation;
mismanagement, gross waste of funds, or abuse of authority;
a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety; or
any other whistle-blower protection.
Statistical data relating to the Department of Health and Human Services equal employment opportunity complaints is available on the DHHS Web site.
NIH No FEAR Act Data Report29 CFR §1614.704(a) - (c) / 29 CFR §1614.705 Comparative DataComplaint Activity
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2022
FY2021
FY2020
FY2019
FY2018
Number of Complaints Filed 1614.704(a)
58
52
55
68
87
80
Number of Complainants 1614.704(b)
58
52
55
67
85
78
Repeat Filers 1614.704(c)
0
0
0
1
2
2
29 CFR §1614.704(d) / 29 CFR §1614.705 Comparative Data
Complaints by Basis
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2022
FY2021
FY2020
FY2019
FY2018
Race
35
26
39
39
42
40
Color
23
20
24
29
19
22
Religion
7
6
6
12
12
11
Reprisal
40
30
30
43
56
38
Sex
23
24
21
30
40
35
PDA
0
1
0
0
2
0
National Origin
13
11
15
24
26
18
Equal Pay Act
4
1
2
3
4
7
Age
14
16
12
12
26
16
Disability
15
17
14
23
27
28
Genetics
1
1
1
2
0
0
Non-EEO
6
5
4
1
1
3
Note: Complaints can be filed alleging multiple cases. The sum of the bases may not equal total complaints filed.
29 CFR§1614.704(e) / 29 CFR§1614.705 Comparative Data
Complaints by Issue
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2022
FY2021
FY2020
FY2019
FY2018
Appointment/Hire
2
4
5
4
4
7
Assignment of Duties
0
0
12
11
13
27
Awards
0
1
2
1
2
0
Conversion to full-time
0
0
0
0
0
0
Disciplinary Actions
Demotion
0
1
0
1
0
1
Reprimand
0
0
3
5
6
8
Suspension
3
0
0
3
3
5
Removal
3
1
4
5
4
6
Other
6
6
1
0
0
2
Duty Hours
0
0
1
4
2
13
Evaluation Appraisals
11
11
17
18
15
11
Examination/Test
0
0
0
0
0
0
Harassment
Non-Sexual
31
28
37
45
41
58
Sexual
2
3
1
5
2
3
Medical Examination
0
0
1
1
0
1
Pay (Including Overtime)
1
1
4
7
2
4
Promotion/Non-Selection
3
6
10
14
9
12
Reassignment
Denied
0
0
1
3
3
1
Directed
1
0
1
3
4
4
Reasonable Accommodation
4
5
10
10
15
10
Reinstatement
0
0
0
0
1
0
Religious Accommodation
0
1
1
0
1
0
Retirement
0
0
1
1
1
0
Sex-Stereotyping
0
0
0
1
0
0
Telework
0
0
2
3
3
5
Termination
0
3
5
5
1
5
Terms/Conditions of Employment
15
16
3
9
10
6
Time and Attendance
4
3
4
10
15
11
Training
1
2
5
3
6
4
29 CFR §1614.704(F)
Processing Time
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2022
FY2021
FY2020
FY2019
FY2018
Complaints pending during fiscal year
Average number of days in investigation
225.64
189.25
162.27
162.93
160.97
209.36
Average number of days in final action
289.76
442.77
172.88
62.87
107.69
109.36
Complaint pending during fiscal year where hearing was requested
Average number of days in investigation
234.25
194.52
176.26
166.10
168.22
247.36
Average number of days in final action
302.50
491.30
39.86
35.90
90.47
70.00
Complaint pending during fiscal year where hearing was not requested
Average number of days in investigation
215.21
182.32
140.06
159.38
135.06
160.51
Average number of days in final action
298.17
376.60
221.89
125.29
132.83
122.06
29 CFR§1614.704(g) / 29 CFR§1614.705 Comparative Data
Complaints Dismissed by Agency pursuant to 1614.107(a)
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2022
FY2021
FY2020
FY2019
FY2018
Total complaints dismissed by Agency
3
2
7
7
6
6
Average days pending prior to dismissal
59
28
40
40
117
19
Complaints Withdrawn by Complainants
Total Complaints withdrawn by Complainants
4
3
4
9
4
7
29 CFR§1614.704(h) / 29 CFR§1614.705 Comparative Data
Total Final Agency Actions of Finding Discrimination
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY2023 Thru 30-June
%
FY
2022
#
FY
2022
%
FY
2021
#
FY
2021
%
FY
2020
#
FY
2020
%
FY
2019
#
FY
2019
%
FY
2018
#
FY
2018
%
Total number of findings
0
1
1
1
2
0
Without Hearing
0
0
1
100
1
100
1
100
0
0
0
0
With Hearing
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
100
0
0
29 CFR§1614.704(i) / 29 CFR§1614.705 Comparative Data
Note: Complaints can be filed alleging multiple cases. The sum of the bases may not equal total complaints and findings.
Findings of Discrimination Rendered by Basis
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY2023 Thru 30-June
%
FY
2022
#
FY
2022
%
FY
2021
#
FY
2021
%
FY
2020
#
FY
2020
%
FY
2019
#
FY
2019
%
FY
2018
#
FY
2018
%
Total number of Findings
0
1
1
2
0
0
Race
0
0
1
100
0
0
2
100
0
0
0
0
Color
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Religion
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Reprisal
0
0
0
0
1
100
2
100
0
0
0
0
Sex
0
0
1
100
0
0
2
100
0
0
0
0
PDA
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
National Origin
0
0
1
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Equal Pay Act
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Age
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Disability
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Genetics
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Non-EEO
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Findings of Discrimination Rendered by Basis
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY2023 Thru 30-June
%
FY
2022
#
FY
2022
%
FY
2021
#
FY
2021
%
FY
2020
#
FY
2020
%
FY
2019
#
FY
2019
%
FY
2018
#
FY
2018
%
Findings After Hearing
0
0
0
2
0
0
Race
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
100
0
0
0
0
Color
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Religion
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Reprisal
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
100
0
0
0
0
Sex
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
100
0
0
0
0
PDA
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
National Origin
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Equal Pay Act
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Age
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Disability
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Genetics
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Non-EEO
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Findings of Discrimination Rendered by Basis
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY2023 Thru 30-June
%
FY
2022
#
FY
2022
%
FY
2021
#
FY
2021
%
FY
2020
#
FY
2020
%
FY
2019
#
FY
2019
%
FY
2018
#
FY
2018
%
Findings Without Hearing
0
1
1
0
0
0
Race
0
0
1
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Color
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Religion
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reprisal
0
0
0
0
1
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sex
0
0
1
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
PDA
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
National Origin
0
0
1
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Equal Pay Act
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Age
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Disability
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Genetics
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Non-EEO
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
29 CFR§1614.704(j) / 29 CFR§1614.705 Comparative Data
Findings of Discrimination Rendered by Issue
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY2023 Thru 30-June
%
FY
2022
#
FY
2022
%
FY
2021
#
FY
2021
%
FY
2020
#
FY
2020
%
FY
2019
#
FY
2019
%
FY
2018
#
FY
2018
%
Total number Findings
0
1
1
2
0
0
Appointment/Hire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Assignment of Duties
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Awards
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Conversion to full-time
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Disciplinary Action
Demotion
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reprimand
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Suspension
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Removal
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Duty Hours
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Evaluation Appraisal
0
0
1
100
0
0
1
50
0
0
0
0
Examination/Test
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Harassment
Non-Sexual
0
0
0
0
1
100
1
50
0
0
0
0
Sexual
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Medical Examination
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pay (Including Overtime)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Promotion/Non-Selection
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reassignment
Denied
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Directed
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reasonable Accommodation Disability
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reinstatement
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Religious Accommodation
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Retirement
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sex-Stereotyping
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Telework
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Termination
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Terms/Conditions of Employment
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Time and Attendance
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Training
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other - User Defined
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Findings of Discrimination Rendered by Issue
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY2023 Thru 30-June
%
FY
2022
#
FY
2022
%
FY
2021
#
FY
2021
%
FY
2020
#
FY
2020
%
FY
2019
#
FY
2019
%
FY
2018
#
FY
2018
%
Findings After Hearing
0
0
0
0
0
0
Appointment/Hire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Assignment of Duties
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Awards
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Conversion to full-time
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Disciplinary Action
Demotion
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reprimand
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Suspension
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Removal
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Duty Hours
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Evaluation Appraisal
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Examination/Test
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Harassment
Non-Sexual
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sexual
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Medical Examination
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pay (Including Overtime)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Promotion/Non-Selection
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reassignment
Denied
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Directed
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reasonable Accommodation Disability
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reinstatement
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Religious Accommodation
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Retirement
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sex-Stereotyping
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Telework
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Terms/Conditions of Employment
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Termination
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Time and Attendance
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Training
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other - User Defined
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Findings of Discrimination Rendered by Issue
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY2023 Thru 30-June
#
FY
2022
#
FY
2022
%
FY
2021
#
FY
2021
%
FY
2020
#
FY
2020
%
FY
2019
#
FY
2019
%
FY
2018
#
FY
2018
%
Findings Without Hearing
0
1
1
0
0
0
Appointment/Hire
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Assignment of Duties
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Awards
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Conversion to full-time
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Disciplinary Action
Demotion
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reprimand
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Suspension
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Removal
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Duty Hours
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Evaluation Appraisal
0
0
1
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Examination/Test
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Harassment
Non-Sexual
0
0
0
0
1
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sexual
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Medical Examination
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pay (Including Overtime)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Promotion/Non-Selection
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reassignment
Denied
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Directed
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reasonable Accommodation Disability
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Reinstatement
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Religious Accommodation
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Retirement
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sex-Stereotyping
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Telework
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Terms/Conditions of Employment
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Termination
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Time and Attendance
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Training
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Other - User Defined
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
29 CFR§1614.704(k) / 29 CFR§1614.705 Comparative Data
Complaints pending from previous Fiscal Years by Status
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2022
FY2021
FY2020
FY2019
FY2018
Total complaints from previous Fiscal Years
72
68
76
72
75
78
Total complainants
68
63
69
70
65
74
Number complaints pending: 704(k)(3)
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2022
FY2021
FY2019
FY2019
FY2018
Investigation
0
1
0
0
0
0
ROI issued; pending Complainant's action
1
0
0
1
0
1
Hearing
57
46
47
48
69
76
Final Agency action
14
21
30
25
7
0
Appeal with EEOC Office of Federal Operations
84
80
74
62
51
43
29 CFR§1614.704(i) / 29 CFR§1614.705 Comparative Data
Complaint Investigations
FY2023 Thru 30-June
FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2019
FY2018
Pending Complaints Where Investigations Exceed Required Time Frames
0
0
1
0
0
1
National Institutes of Health
Office of Equity, Diversity, and InclusionContact Us
edi@nih.govThe Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is part of NIH, a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
