FHWA Office of Civil Rights

Memorandum

Subject: INFORMATION: Sexual Harassment Reporting Requirements

[PDF Version, 693KB]

Date: JAN 25 2010

From: Allen Masuda
Associate Administrator for Civil Rights

To: Associate Administrators
Chief Counsel
Chief Financial Officer
Director, Innovative Program Delivery
Directors of Field Services
Federal Lands Highway Division Engineers
Director of Technical Services
Division Administrators

In Reply Refer to: HCR-40

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the leadership team with information on reporting requirements for dealing with allegations of sexual harassment in the workplace. Attached to this memorandum is information provided by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission explaining the meaning of sexual harassment.

As you are aware, it has been the longstanding policy of the Department and FHW A to maintain a work environment free of any form of discrimination, including sexual harassment. Any supervisor or manager who becomes aware of an allegation of sexual harassment must report the incident to. the senior management official in the organizational unit in which the infraction occurred. The senior management official must then forward the allegation to the Associate Administrators for Administration and Civil Rights for assessment, coordination, and advisory services. This procedure is necessary to ensure that FHWA takes immediate and appropriate corrective action to end sexual harassment.

Employees who believe that they have been victims of sexual harassment may seek the immediate assistance of a management official or the Office of Human Resources. In addition, employees may contact an Equal Employment Opportunity Counselor or the Office of Civil Rights. This guidance is in no way intended to replace or circumvent the current internal discrimination complaint process.

You are encouraged to forward a copy of this memorandum to all subordinate supervisors, managers, and staff under your management authority. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please feel free to contact Pamela Woodruff at (202) 366-1607. You may also contact your servicing Office of Human Resources.

Attachment