Resolving Employment Discrimination or Harassment Concerns

Faculty and classified employees and applicants with concerns about possible discrimination or harassment may elect either informal or formal procedures to resolve their concerns. Concerns should be addressed as soon as possible. The Virginia Community College System is committed to a workplace in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity and will not tolerate any form of retaliation directed against a person who com­plains about harassment or discrimination.

Informal Options

Informal options include speaking directly with the person to inform him or her of the problem.  Individuals who are not able to do this are encouraged to use other informal means to resolve their concerns.  Mediation services which provide a neutral third party are available.  Each community college and the System Office provide a person who will help you evaluate the options available and assist you with the process you elect to use.

Find your college Equal Opportunity Officers

Formal Procedures

Formal complaints about discrimination or harassment may be filed with the college EEO Officer if you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against or harassed on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation or veteran status, or if you believes that you have been retaliated against for reporting discrimination or harassment or for participating in a complaint investigation. This option is available to all VCCS employees, including wage and probationary employees. A formal complaint must be filed within 300 days of the last incident complained of.

Federal Government Resources

• U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
• U.S. Department of Justice, American with Disabilities Act Home Page (ADA)
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

State Resources