Mediation

Mediation is voluntary and confidential. An unbiased mediator helps people in a dispute find a mutually acceptable solution. Mediators do not have the power to make decisions for the people involved.

Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution methods are informal alternatives for traditional administrative or legal processes. Mediation is typically more flexible and stresses cooperation in solving problems.

If you believe you have been discriminated against based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or pregnancy), age (40 years of age or older), disability, (physical and/or mental), genetic information, and/or reprisal/retaliation for protected EEO activity, you can use the EEO process to address the issue.

You must contact an EEO Counselor within 45 calendar days of the incident. If it is a personnel action, you must contact a counselor within 45 calendar days of its effective date.

Mediation can be an alternative method of resolving a complaint when it follows EEO processes and procedures.

An Administrative Grievance is a request for personal relief regarding any issue or dissatisfaction related to an employee's job or work conditions that management can control.

Personal Relief includes:

• A remedy directly benefiting the person filing the complaint
• The remedy must be specific and clear
• The remedy must be something management can control

Note: the remedy cannot be a request for disciplinary (or other) action against another employee or supervisor.

This is for someone requesting mediation to resolve issues and concerns affecting their daily work and is not involved in an EEO or Administrative Grievance complaint process.