EEO Complaint Process

Any NAVSEA employee or applicant for employment has a right to file a complaint if they feel they’ve been discriminated against or harassed. Discrimination or harassment complaints can be filed on the basis of:

Step One – Informal Complaint Process

If an employee, or applicant for employment believes they have been discriminated against or harassed, they must initiate the EEO process with an EEO official/counselor within 45 days of the alleged discriminatory act or behavior.

A NAVSEA EEO Specialist will conduct a brief intake and schedule you for EEO Counseling.  It is the role of the EEO complaints manager/counselor to explain the EEO complaint process, remain a neutral party, and determine the basis(es) and claim(s) raised by the aggrieved individual. The EEO counselor has 30 calendar days to complete the pre-complaint process counseling.

NAVSEA EEO Initial Contact Form  *To view the form, please download the PDF and enable all features.

The EEO counselor will explain the employees’ rights to elect an Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) to avoid litigation or formal administrative procedures. Election of ADR automatically extends counseling period for an additional 60 calendar days. Should the employee waive their rights to an ADR, they can either proceed with the informal complaint process with the EEO counselor, or the traditional EEO complaint process.

The Department of the Navy uses mediation as the form of ADR. ADR is completely voluntary and gives the chance for all concerned parties to meet, identify issues, and arrive at a mutually agreed upon solution.  ADR can be used to settle most matters from workplace conflicts, administrative grievances, EEO complaints, conduct or work performance issues, union issues, and group or offices facing challenges.

The aggrieved individual must participate in the informal process prior to filing a formal complaint.

The informal complaint process relies on the EEO counselor to attempt to resolve the dispute between parties. During this process, the EEO counselor remains neutral, and will obtain all relevant facts and information to come to a resolution that is agreeable for both sides. The informal complaint process should not exceed 30 days, however, the aggrieved may agree to extend counseling for up to an additional 60 days. If no resolution is achieved, the aggrieved will be provided with a Notice of Right to File a Discrimination Complaint, which must be filled out with the correct office within 15 days of its receipt.

Step Two – Formal Complaint Process

Once a formal complaint has been filed, an investigation will be conducted. Your complaint must be specific and limited only to those matters that you previously discussed with the EEO Counselor.  You will receive a written acknowledgement of receipt of your complaint that will also inform you of the date that your complaint was filed. This date will be used for calculating the processing times relevant to the formal process.

If your complaint is accepted for processing, an impartial investigation will be ordered. NAVSEA EEO will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair and is completed within 180 days from the date you filed your formal complaint.

Within 30 days of your receipt of the investigative file, the aggrieved party will be entitled to either of the following:

• A hearing before an Equal Employment Opportunity Administrative Judge
• A Final Agency Decision
• ​If you request a Hearing from the EEOC, an Administrative judge will conduct a hearing and issue a decision on your complaint.  The Judge must complete this process within 180 days from receipt of the agency’s file.

The NAVSEA EEO office must issue its final order, upon receipt of the Administrative Judge’s decision.  The order must state whether or not the NAVSEA EEO office will fully implement the decision.  If the order states that NAVSEA EEO office will not, then the NAVSEA EEO office must file an appeal with EEOC at the same time it issues its final order.  If the NAVSEA EEO office does not take any action, the Judge’s findings and any ordered relief become the Final Decision.

If you fail to respond or request an immediate Final Decision, the NAVSEA EEO office will issue a decision based on its review of the investigative reports and comp2laint file.  Upon receipt of your request an immediate Final Decision, the NAVSEA EEO office will review and issue its decision.

If you requested the NAVSEA EEO office to issue a Final Decision without a Hearing, you may appeal the NAVSEA EEO office’s decision to the EEOC within 30 days of receipt.  You may file a civil action in U.S> District Court within 90 days of you receipt of the Final Decision.

If you believe you have been discriminated against or harassed, please email: usn.ncr.sea-00.mbx.eeo@us.navy.mil or call our Hotline: 202-781-5336.