ODEO’s Complaints Management Division (CMD) is the NASA organization that handles EEO concerns raised by members of the Agency’s 17,000-strong workforce and advances civil rights efforts of Agency grantees, such as universities and science centers nationwide. The division has two primary areas of responsibility. These involve managing and implementing Agency wide policies and systems for 1) processing, adjudicating and resolving EEO complaints (this includes oversight of the informal complaints process conducted at the NASA Centers and the Agency’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program); and 2) developing internal (NASA workforce) and external (NASA grant recipient institutions) policies, programs and initiatives, including executive leadership, guidance, technical assistance, and compliance related activities.

EEO Complaints and Alternative Dispute Resolution

The EEO Complaints Office manages and implements Agency-wide policies and systems for processing, adjudicating and resolving individual and class discrimination complaints.  This includes oversight of the informal complaints process conducted at the NASA Centers. 

The three major functions of this division are:

• EEO Complaints Policy and Processing 
  Implements policy and provides oversight and guidance for the processing of individual and class complaints pursuant to Title VII.
• Investigations, Hearings, Final Agency Actions
  Conducts all equal employment opportunity (EEO) investigations, facilitates hearing and issues Final Agency Actions.
  • If a settlement agreement is reached between the parties in a dispute, the EEO Complaints Office is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the terms of the agreement. If complainant believes that an agreement has been breached, she or he must bring that matter to the attention of the Director, EEO Complaints and Programs (CAP) within 30 calendar days of the alleged violation. Complainant may request that a complaint be reinstated or that a settlement agreement be enforced. This office will investigate allegations of breaches of settlement agreements, and make determinations if there was a breach.
  • This office is also responsible for tracking compliance with orders issued by EEOC OFO and implementation of corrective actions arising from a FAD. If complainant believes the Agency has not complied with the orders issued by EEOC or FAD, the complainant must bring that matter to the attention of the Director, EEO Complaints and Programs (CAP) within 30 calendar days of the alleged non-compliance.
• Appeals and Compliance
  Facilitates appeals and responsible for tracking compliance of settlement agreements and orders issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Final Agency Actions.
  APPEALS
  • Complainant may appeal an Agency’s final decision or dismissal of a complaint to the EEOC OFO within 30 calendar days of receipt of the dismissal, final agency decision (FAD) or final order. The EEO Complaints Office is responsible for submission of report of investigation and other official complaint records to the EEOC Office of Federal Operations (OFO) when an appeal is filed. The appropriate Office of General Counsel or Office of Chief Counsel is responsible for filing the Agency’s opposition brief or supporting brief
  • If complaint is on a matter that is appealable to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), e.g., a mixed case such as a termination of a career employee, complainant may appeal the FAD to the MSPB within 20 calendar days of receipt or go to the appropriate United States District Court within 30 calendar days. Complainant may petition the EEOC for review of the MSPB decision concerning the claim of discrimination.