EEO complaints are handled as confidentially as possible, however, absolute confidentiality and anonymity cannot be guaranteed as the State has an obligation to investigate your concerns. The State has a strict anti-retaliation provision, where employees are protected from adverse actions taken due to filing an EEO complaint.
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When an EEO issue is received, the department will review the concern to determine whether the alleged conduct, if proven to have occurred, would violate the EEO Policy. If so, the department will investigate the allegations, including interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, and concluding whether it is more likely than not the alleged conduct took place. ...
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Contact your departmental Human Resources Officer, departmental civil rights office (if any), or the DHRD EEO Office to discuss your concerns.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses protected class harassment or discrimination.
If you feel that you have experienced or witnessed protected class harassment or discrimination, you should report your concern to your departmental HR office or departmental civil rights office (if any). If a potential EEO issue is reported to the DHRD EEO Office, we will contact the responsible department to notify them of the complaint. ...
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Harassment is unwanted, unwelcome, offensive conduct based on a protected class that makes it difficult for an employee to do their job. Using racial slurs or making racial jokes are examples of protected class harassment. Harassment can include “sexual harassment” or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment due ...
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Discrimination occurs when there is an employment action (i.e. hiring, promoting, disciplining, or terminating an employee) that happens due to an employee’s protected class. For example, discrimination may occur if a manager or supervisor learns of an applicant’s pregnancy and, based on that knowledge, selects another less-qualified applicant who is not pregnant. Discrimination can also ...
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Federal and State laws define what are protected classes. The federal and state protected classes include: Age Ancestry Arrest and court record (except as permitted by applicable laws) National origin (National origin may refer to a person’s country of birth, nationality, or cultural or ethnic origin. National origin also includes linguistic characteristics common to a ...
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The EEO Office helps State of Hawaii Executive Branch departments, employees, and applicants under DHRD’s jurisdiction who have concerns regarding protected class harassment and discrimination. If you are or were an employee or applicant of the Judiciary, University of Hawaii, Department of Education, county, Federal government, or a private employer, please contact your organization’s human ...
Read More Who can the EEO Office help?
The DHRD EEO Division helps State of Hawaii Executive Branch departments, employees, and applicants with questions and concerns relating to protected class discrimination and harassment based in the workplace. The DHRD EEO Division also implements and oversees the Department of Human Resources Development’s (DHRD)Discrimination/Harassment-Free Workplace Policy, Reasonable Accommodation Policy, and related mandatory employee training.