Any former lawyers out there - particularly familiar with Federal EEO matters?
 

My husband is still employed as a federal civil servant. Recently, EEOC came out with a resolution regarding: "In Mourning for the Deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery." no problem here

One of the lines says "WHEREAS Black lives matter:" no problem here

In an email promulgating the resolution as an attachment, the following email is sent out to all staff, civilian and military.

"Subject: EEOC Resolution

Team
The events of recent days reinforce the imperative that we must treat each other with respect, fairly and without biases. Without that, we tear the very fabric that ties us together and the richness gained from the diversity of all people, leveraging the value of different thought, background, culture, lifestyles, and more. For your awareness, I have attached a copy of the resolution from the EEOC issued this this week.

We are stronger together and the CIO team benefits greatly from each team mate.

Black Lives Matter!

V/r
XXXXXX XXXXXXX
Assistant Commander XXXX"

I was fine with the content of the email until the last line before the signature. Is this appropriate to add into an email like a slogan promoting the value of the lives of only part of the staff? It was in the resolution that was sent out - and that's fine, it's EEOC's job to make these resolutions. But is is appropriate for a supervisor to put it into his email in this format?

Thank you for your insight.

And you want a lawyer to do what???????

I would point out that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a Federal organization, but they don't just enforce employment discrimination laws for Federal employees. Anyone in the Federal Government, a state or local government, or even a private sector employee can file an employment discrimination complaint with the EEOC. It is a very powerful organization that will often use taxpayer money to sue private companies in court on behalf of employees who they determine have been discriminated against.

Tell me whether or not that is appropriate in the federal workplace.

Tell me whether or not that the ending of the email is appropriate in the federal workplace. I understand the resolution and am fine with it - I want to know if a supervisor, in the federal civil service, can promote the importance of one race over all others in an email to a staff of all races (not the resolution, but the bottom line of the email that comes over HIS signature).

In my opinion, it's not appropriate, but a lot of things they do are also not appropriate. When I was a Federal employee, the EEO system had way too much control over employment decisions. If you were a supervisor and needed to fill a job opening, the EEO Officer actually had more decision making power about who you hired than you did. Finding the best person for the job was secondary. And, the supervisors in my office always gave every employee the highest performance rating available, because, if they didn't, they would be tied up for months defending an EEO complaint.

There used to be a retired NYC labor lawyer on here but not sure if he is even still alive.

I have a law degree from the U of MN but am a law librarian by inclination.

From what facts you put up though, I doubt if this would be anything actionable.

And what would you want the lawyer to do?

I don't have an issue with the EEOC putting out their resolution. I just don't think it's appropriate for the Assistant Commander of a construction unit to put "Black Lives Matter!" as an independent statement in his email to the staff, anymore than if I put "Blue Lives Matter!" as a closing on my own email to my staff (I'm now retired, but if I were still on active duty). That's where my question lies. I'm debating whether or not to report it, and that's why I'm asking for insight... to make sure I'm not over reacting. I'm very on edge lately and have quit watching the news as it just makes me more and more angry every day and it's just not good for my psyche. Thanks for your input.

I don't think you are over reacting. But, in my opinion, reporting it will bring you or your husband nothing but trouble.

He is retired so what can this person do to him.

If it will make you feel better go ahead and report him. This has no place in our govt.

The OP's husband is not retired.

Do you feel that black lives don't matter?
Do you feel that some other lives matter more than black lives?
Do you feel that "black lives matter" has more significance than the "WHEREAS black lives matter" line that you had no problem with, as per your post?

If the answer is yes to any of the above, then sure. Go ahead and file a complaint. Invite the media to the formal presentation of the complaint. Make sure to announce it in advance on social media the date and time that you plan on filing that complaint.

If the answer is no to any of the above, then you have no complaint.

Not picking on you specifically, but it is that basic misunderstanding (by so many folks) of what "Black Lives Matter" actually means (which does NOT include those criminals who are doing the looting/arson/violence)...that is the problem.

I will also add, that I believe it is wholly inappropriate to put that... on a government memo at that level.

Look at these attachments...for my point. :ho:

The EEOC has been and still is a joke and yes the ending of the email is inappropriate