The purpose of this Order is to establish the Office of Disability Rights (ODR) as the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Counselor available to all District government employees with disabilities. Further, the Order establishes the duty of all District government agencies to notify their employees of equal employment opportunity counseling services available at ODR.
The ODR has six clearly defined EEO counseling duties:
- Advise the aggrieved person about the EEO complaint process and other avenues of relief.
- Determine the issues and any EEO bases of the complaint.
- Conduct a limited inquiry to furnish information for settlement efforts and/or determine jurisdiction, if a formal complaint is filed.
- Advise the agency and seek a resolution of the complaint.
- Document the resolution through a settlement agreement or a withdrawal. If the complaint is not resolved or withdrawn, advise the complainant of the right to file a formal discrimination complaint. Furnish the complainant with an Exit Letter to allow him or her to file at the Office of Human Rights.
- Prepare a report sufficient to determine that required counseling actions have been taken and resolve any jurisdictional questions that may arise.