Per the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, or national origin, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII) and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Rehabilitation Act) mandate that all federal personnel decisions be made free of discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, reprisal or disability and also require that agencies establish a program of equal employment opportunity for all federal employees and job applicants. 42 U.S.C. §2000e-16 and 29 U.S.C. §791. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has adjudicatory responsibilities in the federal EEO complaints process and oversight responsibility for federal programs required by Section 717 of Title VII and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act generally. The essential elements of model Title VII and Rehabilitation Act programs are:

• Demonstrated commitment from agency leadership;
• Integration of EEO into the agency's strategic mission;
• Management and program accountability;
• Proactive prevention of unlawful discrimination;
  Efficiency; and
• Responsiveness and legal compliance.

Primary EEO Program Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Managing the workforce to ensure it adequately reflective of Nation's diversity, ensuring the work environment is free of unlawful discrimination and equitable treatment of the workforce. This is done through the implementation of various EEO programs and functions such as:

1. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program
2. EEO Complaints Processing,
3. Annual Reporting
4. Special Emphasis Programs
5. Demographics Data and Analytics
6. Civil Rights and EEO Education
7. Civil Rights Workforce Proactive Prevention Engagements

In accordance with Title VII, BPA's Office of Civil Rights and EEO implements a model EEO program and works to ensures equal opportunity in all aspects of employment for the workforce. BPA employment policies and practices are executed and enforced to be free from unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, pregnancy and equal pay), age (40 and older), national origin, genetic information, disability and/or reprisal. The basic principle of equal employment opportunity underlies all aspects of personnel management. The EEO program, in accordance with Title VII, allows employees and applicants who believe they are victims of discrimination to make complaints through several avenues. Parties who believe they have been discriminated against should contact the Office of Civil Rights and EEO within 45 days of the alleged discriminatory incident by dialing 503-230-4725 or 800-305-7341.

In accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the workforce has the responsibility to:

• Clearly communicate a belief in and adherence to the principles of equal opportunity for all employees;
• Take prompt action to report, prevent or halt discrimination or harassment;
• Make an overt effort to support workplace diversity, equality and inclusion, remain aware of EEO responsibilities; (The full implementation of equality, diversity and inclusion is everyone's responsibility); and
• Work closely with EEO and HR officials to address and correct workplace issues and resolve disputes promptly.

If a recipient of federal assistance is found to have discriminated and voluntary compliance cannot be achieved, the federal agency providing the assistance should either initiate fund termination proceedings or refer the matter to the Department of Justice for appropriate legal action. Aggrieved individuals may file administrative complaints with the federal agency that provides funds to a recipient, or the individuals may file suit for appropriate relief in federal court. Title VI itself prohibits intentional discrimination. However, most funding agencies have regulations implementing Title VI that prohibit recipient practices that have the effect of discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

To assist federal agencies that provide financial assistance, the wide variety of recipients that receive such assistance, and the actual and potential beneficiaries of programs receiving federal assistance, the U.S. Department of Justice has published a Title VI Legal Manual. The Title VI Legal Manual sets out Title VI legal principles and standards. Additionally, the Department has published an Investigation Procedures Manual to give practical advice on how to investigate Title VI complaints. Also available on the Federal Coordination and Compliance Website are a host of other materials that may be helpful to those interested in ensuring effective enforcement of Title VI."

Title VI Equal Opportunity Programs Include:

• Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
  • Language Translation
  • Language Interpretative Services
• Equal Opportunity in Federally Funded Programs
• Equal Opportunity in Federally Assisted Program
• Section 504 Compliance
• Section 508 Compliance

Title VI claims should be filed directly through the Department of Energy you may call (202) 586-2218 or submit a written complaint to:

Office of Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20585

Your complaint should contain the following information: your name, address, and telephone number; the name and address of the agency, institution, or department you believe discriminated against you; how, why, and when you believe you were discriminated against, including as much information as possible about the alleged acts of discrimination, and the names of the individuals whom you allege discriminated against you, if known; and the names of any persons, if known, that the investigating agency could contact for additional information to support or clarify your allegations.

Per the Department of Justice: