Policy on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the Prevention of
Harassment

1400-713 (910a) P
May 6, 2014
EMS TRANMISSION: 5/8/2014
Information Bulletin No. WY-2014-011
To: All Employees
From: State Director
Subject: Policy on Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the Prevention of
Harassment
On January 13, 2009, Secretary Ken Salazar communicated his standards of conduct
expectations for all Department of the Interior (DOI) employees. While we await Secretary
Jewel’s policy regarding EEO and the Prevention of Harassment, I wanted to take a moment to
express my commitment to these important topics.
It is Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Wyoming’s policy that employees are provided equal
employment opportunity in employment, and that discrimination based on race, religion, color,
national origin, sex, age (over 40), disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, and reprisal
is prohibited. Discrimination, in any form, has no place in DOI or BLM Wyoming and will not
be tolerated. This includes sexual harassment, nonsexual harassment, or any conduct that
demeans the dignity of another person.
Discrimination is the act, policy, practice, or procedure that denies equal opportunity because of
race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, or genetic
information.
Sexual Harassment is a form of discrimination that involves unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
Harassment (not sexual in nature) is a form of discrimination that involves unwelcome verbal or
physical conduct based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age (over 40), disability,
sexual orientation, and genetic information. It is behavior that is hostile and/or intimidating
which creates an abusive or offensive work environment.
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Wyoming State Office
P.O. Box 1828
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-1828
IN REPLY REFER TO:
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Reprisal is the wrongful threatening or taking of either unfavorable action, or withholding
favorable action from another solely in response for opposing employment discrimination or
participating in an EEO activity protected by the various employment discrimination statutes.
Equal opportunity is a professional conduct issue and it is based on a premise of fair and equal
treatment and respect for all persons. It is everyone’s responsibility to assist in promoting an
environment free of discrimination. Mere compliance with minimum requirements is not enough
to fully meet our obligations. I challenge everyone to be a role model of appropriate behavior
and to confront any form of discrimination, harassment, or other inappropriate behavior when it
is observed or brought to their attention. You are encouraged to resolve issues at the lowest level
possible and use BLM’s Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution (CADR) program. (For
more information on this program, contact Michael Lucero, COREPlus Workplace Advisor.)
An employee who engages in harassment faces consequences ranging from verbal warnings and
letters of reprimand, up to termination from employment, depending on the seriousness of the
misconduct. Managers and supervisors who do not take action when they know or suspect that
harassment is occurring also face discipline. Contractor staff may be subject to comparable
penalties from their employers and a contractor who fails to enforce this policy may have its
contract terminated. Visitors who harass may be removed from any workplace and prevented
from returning.
The discrimination complaint process is posted on official bulletin boards and posted on the
intranet. All reports of alleged discrimination will be taken seriously, promptly investigated and
handled with professionalism, dignity and fairness. If you believe you have been the victim of
discrimination, harassment, or reprisal, you should notify your immediate supervisor, a member
of Management, or the Wyoming State EEO Office immediately, but not later than 45 days of
the incident.
All questions related to this policy should be directed to Michael Lucero, EEO Manager, at
307-775-6010.
Signed by: Authenticated by:
Donald A. Simpson Sherry Dixon
State Director Administrative Assistant
Distribution
Director (710), 20 M Street, S.E. 1
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