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No FEAR Act Data

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 Report

29 CFR §1614.704(a) - (c) / 29 CFR §1614.705 Comparative Data

Complaint 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