Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

USAID/General Notice

06/06/2001

SUBJECT: Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The mission of the United States Agency for International Development is to work with other nations to help develop opportunities that raise the quality of human life around the world. Given that our work is about people, and the systems by which their lives can be made better, it is appropriate that we ensure that our own employees are afforded a fair opportunity to develop themselves, and to contribute fully to the achievement of the USAID mission.

To that end, USAID will be guided in our human resources management practices by policies that are designed to elicit the best from our employees. Not only do we seek the most qualified persons to perform our tasks, but we also seek to acquire a workforce that is representative of the American people. This principle is based in law, and it is the right thing to do.

President Bush has stated: "Diversity represents one of our greatest strengths, and we must strive to ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to reach their full potential." Similarly, all managers and supervisors at this Agency must work to develop the human resources for which they are responsible, to provide challenging assignments in an equitable manner, and to assure that employees performing high caliber work are recognized for their contributions.

Our purpose as an Agency is best served by a diverse workforce that is free of discrimination on the bases of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, and disability. Where workplace disputes arise, consistent with my management principles, I will expect management to be involved and to be creative in working to address employee concerns, to increase the prospect of constructive resolutions, and to decrease the divisiveness that such disputes engender.

While we must meet the specific requirements of Federal laws and regulations that require nondiscrimination and that govern affirmative employment practices, I believe that we have a shared interest in managing our workforce in an equitable manner. It will serve the United States' interests to have a talented, diverse workforce engaged in meeting the development challenges around the world.

I have asked the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs to keep me advised regarding progress and problems in this area. I expect Agency management at all levels to be proactive in addressing equal employment opportunity issues. I intend to do so, but it is the responsibility of us all.

Andrew S. Natsios