Equal Employment Opportunity FAQ Artificial Intelligence Biotechnology Computer Science Cybersecurity Data Analytics and Visualization Digital Marketing and Media Mathematics Occupational Therapy Physician Assistant Physics Speech-Language Pathology What is Equal Employment Opportunity? Equal Employment Opportunity refers to federal laws that prohibit discriminatory employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental ability, religion, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age or any other protected category. What is Affirmative Action? Executive Order 11246, as amended, requires that the University, as a federal government contractor, meet certain requirements to take affirmative action to ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Affirmative Action requires that the University demonstrate good faith efforts in the outreach and recruitment of women and minorities. Why must the University comply with the Federal Affirmative Action mandates? Since the University receives federal funding and is considered a government contractor, we are obligated to complete a written Affirmative Action Plan every year and to set employment goals within job groups where an under-representation of women and minorities exists. What is Diversity Management? Diversity Management is the collective commitment by the University to recognize and appreciate the unique values, culture, beliefs, skills, characteristics and attributes of all employees. This includes the promotion and celebration of the similarities as well as the differences of all employees in the pursuit of the University's overall goals and objectives. Managing diversity allows the University to gain the most advantageous benefit from its diverse workforce. What is employment discrimination/harassment? Employment discrimination or harassment occurs when an individual is treated less favorably with regard to the terms and conditions of his or her employment and/or has been subjected to unwelcome severe or pervasive conduct that effects his/her working conditions based on race, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental ability, religion, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age or any other protected category. What is sexual harassment? Sexual harassment is the unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. What constitutes a hostile work environment? A hostile work environment exists when an individual is subjected to unwelcome comments or conduct based on race, color, national origin, sex, physical or mental ability, religion, medical condition, ancestry, marital status, age or any other protected category and those comments or conduct unreasonably interferes with an employee's work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. What should I do if I believe that I have been subjected to any type of unlawful harassment or discrimination at the University? You should immediately contact your immediate supervisor, a dean, an unlawful harassment panel member, Title IX Coordinator, and/or Deputy Title IX Coordinator. What is my recourse if I am retaliated against because I filed a complaint of unlawful harassment/discrimination? The University will take all reasonable action to protect from retaliation or reprisal all individuals, who in good faith, file a formal or informal complaint and/or were involved in the investigation of a complaint. Even if the complaint is not sustained, no individual shall be subject to retaliation so long as the complaint and testimony in support thereon were in good faith. Should this principle be violated, upon submission of a complaint of retaliation, the Title IX Officer will review the facts and recommend appropriate action. Where can I obtain a copy of the University's Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedures? This policy can be accessed via Human Resource's website under the Affirmative Action section or you can obtain a copy from University Human Resources located at the Wilf Campus, Belfer Hall, 2495 Amsterdam Avenue, 8th Floor. If you have any questions relating to equal opportunity, affirmative action or if you wish the University to pursue a possible violation of the policy, you should contact Renée Coker, Sr. Director, Human Resources - Talent Management & Equity Compliance at (646) 592-4336 or a member of the University's Panel on Unlawful Harassment. Ms. Coker’s office is located on the Wilf Campus, 2495 Amsterdam Avenue, Belfer Hall, Room 806, New York, New York 10033. U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - New York District Office 33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 10004 (800) 669-4000 TYY: (800) 669-6820 Fax: (212) 336-3790 In addition to the Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator, inquiries regarding Title IX may be directed to the United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights (“OCR”). This agency may be contacted as follows: United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights Region 2 – New York Jacob Javits Federal Building 26 Federal Plaza - Suite 3312 New York, NY 10278 Voice Phone: (800) 368-1019 Fax: (212) 264-3039 TDD: (800) 537-7697
