EEO Complaint Coverage
The EEO Administrative Complaint Process has two stages. The first stage is the Informal Complaint Process, and the second stage is the Formal Complaint Process. Both stages are governed by regulations found in 29 C.F.R. Part 1614. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Fairness (OEOF) is aggressively impartial in the administration of these regulations. We neither represent the employee filing the complaint nor the management official(s) named in the complaint. Our role is to administer the regulations neutrally and fairly, to inform all parties of their responsibilities, and to detail what can be expected during each stage of the process. Our approach is driven by personalized customer service and a focus on ensuring that all parties have the information that they need to make informed decisions throughout both stages of the complaint process.
Any FHFA employee, former employee, or applicant for an FHFA position may file a complaint of discrimination based on race; color; religion; sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation); national origin; age (40 years of age or over); disability (mental or physical); genetic information (including family medical history); retaliation, parental status; and marital status. Employees alleging discrimination based on political affiliation should contact the Office of Special Counsel.
Filing an EEO Complaint
The first step in the Federal EEO process is to contact an EEO Counselor. If you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of your race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental/familial status, or reprisal discrimination and would like to speak with an EEO counselor, you can file a complaint of discrimination through our OEOF online complaint processing system. You can also contact us at 202-649-3500 or via email at EEO@fhfa.gov.
If you are a contractor and have a concern regarding possible race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, parental/familial status, or reprisal discrimination, they may seek EEO counseling through their employer's complaint process or they may contact EEO@fhfa.gov or (202) 649-3500.
Contact Deadlines
Contact must be made with OEOF within 45 calendar days of the employment action/effective date of the employment action believed to be discriminatory, or within 45 calendar days of when the individual became aware of the alleged discriminatory action. Holidays and weekends are included in the calculation, although if the deadline falls on a weekend, you will have until the next business day.
A Word About Retaliation
Retaliation towards any federal employee, non-federal worker, or contractor for reporting allegations of inappropriate conduct or harassment, participating as a witness in an administrative inquiry, or for participating in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint process is prohibited. Anyone who feels they have been subjected to retaliation should contact OEOF at (202) 649-3500 or EEO@fhfa.gov.
Page Last Updated: 6/12/2023