The Indiana National Guard Equal Employment Program protects each of us from discrimination in employment, promotion, training and other personnel actions regardless of race, color, religion, and gender, including sexual harassment, national origin, age, mental and/or physical disability or reprisal for participating in a protected Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) activity. Our office works to educate leaders about the advantages of maintaining of a workplace that is free of unlawful discrimination. We strive daily to meet all obligations under federal and state equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and regulations.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Indiana National Guard supports Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to the maximum extent practicable and at the earliest possible stage to prevent, minimize, and resolve disputes between or among the agency and its employees and other parties. ADR helps to achieve mutually acceptable and cost-effective outcomes and to accomplish business efficiently, economically, and productively. Participation in the ADR process is voluntary and information shared during the proceeding is confidential.
Special Emphasis Program
The Special Emphasis Programs (SEP) were established as part of the overall affirmative employment program. Within the concept of the EEO program and the Federal Merit System, the programs emphasize the enhancement of employment and advancement opportunities for minorities, women, and people with disabilities. The term “Special Emphasis Programs,” refers specifically to employment related programs which focus special attention on groups that are conspicuously absent or underrepresented in a specific occupational category or grade level in the agency’s workforce. These programs increase diversity awareness and assist us in achieving our affirmative employment goals by:
- Identifying and evaluating potential barriers to the hiring and advancement of women, minorities, and people with disabilities
- Identifying and publicizing opportunities for educational and career development
- Annually observing and commemorating the achievements and contributions of each group, promoting ethnic and cultural awareness
Filing an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Complaint
Federal civilians and applicants for employment who believe they have been discriminated against in employment may file an EEO complaint. Please visit the EEO office for advice. Complainants must adhere to strict time requirements for filing complaints. Please see EEO complaint process below for more details.
EEO Directives, Procedures and Forms
The Indiana National Guard is committed to the success and well-being of our citizen soldiers, airmen and civilian employees. Our Equal Opportunity mission is to ensure combat readiness by fostering an environment of respect, growth and human dignity through compliance with federal law and applicable military regulations. It is our policy and practice to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.
Filing an equal opportunity (EO) complaint
All INNG personnel serving in Title 32 status (a military pay status) who believe they have been discriminated against based upon race, color, religion, sex-gender (includes sexual harassment) or sexual orientation, national origin or reprisal based on EO activity may file a request to resolve the discrimination allegations. Your chain of command is the primary channel for resolving discrimination complaints. Complainants and commanders must adhere to strict time requirements for filing complaints. Please see EO complaint procedures below for more details.
The Indiana National Guard provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment or the way things usually are done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy equal employment. During the job application process, please immediately notify the point-of-contact identified in the job announcement if you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and/or questionnaire process.
In 2002, Congress enacted the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act. Known as the No FEAR Act, its purpose is to require federal agencies to be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws, and to ensure that employees, applicants for employment and former employees know their rights under the law.
In the policy letters below, the Indiana National Guard Adjutant General addresses the organization’s guiding principles regarding diversity, sexual harassment, equal opportunity and equal employment opportunity:
Harassment complaints, to include witnessing or experiencing sexual harassment, are reported through the EO/EEO program. Please contact your unit EO representative to file a complaint. If you would prefer to file a complaint outside your unit, you may contact the State Equal Employment Manager at 317-247-3237. For more information, the National EO information line is available at 1-703-607-7756.
Harassment and Sexual Harassment Reporting
If you are reporting sexual harassment with a sexual assault component, please contact the Indiana National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR) 24/7-monitored number at 317-247-3172, in order to maintain confidentiality while determining what resource is best for you.