The District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) will not intimidate, threaten, coerce, discriminate against, retaliate or take adverse employment action against any employee, student, or volunteer that in good faith and with honest and non-malicious intent makes a report regarding potential violations of laws, regulations or policies.
Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, adverse job actions such as termination; denial of any bonus, benefit or training; reduction of salary or decrease in hours; or change in or transfer to a lesser position.
Individuals who violate this policy will be subject to the appropriate and applicable disciplinary process, up to and including termination.
The following Federal and District law concerning non-retaliation supports the DCPS Non-Retaliation Policy.
Title VII, Section 704(a), of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, states the following:
(a) Discrimination for making charges, testifying, assisting, or participating in enforcement proceedings
It shall be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against any of his employees or applicants for employment, for an employment agency, or join labor-management committee controlling apprenticeship or other training or retraining, including on-the-job training programs, to discriminate against any individual, or for a labor organization to discriminate against any member thereof or applicant for membership, because he has opposed any practice made an unlawful employment practice by this subchapter, or because he has made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing under this subchapter.
The Human Rights Act of 1977, DC Official Code §2-1402.61, states the following:
Coercion or retaliation
(a) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice to coerce, threaten, retaliate against, or interfere with any person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of having exercised or enjoyed, or on account of having aided or encouraged any other person in the exercise or enjoyment of any right granted or protected under this chapter.
(b) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to require, request, or suggest that a person retaliate against, interfere with, intimidate or discriminate against a person, because that person has opposed any practice made unlawful by this chapter, or because that person has made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding or hearing authorized under this chapter.
(c) It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice for any person to cause or coerce, or attempt to cause or coerce, directly or indirectly, any person to prevent any person from complying with the provisions of this chapter.
DC Municipal Regulations, Title 5, (Education), Chapter E14, Subsection E1401.2(z) states the following:
(z) Retaliation for reporting harassment and sexual harassment. An employee commits an offense under this provision when he/she retaliates against any person who reports alleged harassment or sexual harassment, or any person who testifies, assists or participates in an investigation, or who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding or hearing relating to such harassment or sexual harassment. An employee retaliates against a person if, as a result of action taken by the employee described in the previous sentence, 1) such person is reasonably intimidated by verbal threats or physical conduct of the employee, or 2) such person is denied an opportunity, right or privilege to which he/she would otherwise be entitled, or 3) such person is subjected to detrimental treatment to which he/she would not otherwise be subjected.
Persons filing charges of discrimination are advised of this Non-Retaliation Policy and are instructed to notify the DCPS Equal Employment Opportunity Office, 1200 First Street, NE, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20002, (202) 442-5424, if any attempt at retaliation is made.
Applicants or employees with concerns about discrimination, harassment, or retaliation should contact:
Labor Management & Employee Relations
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First Street, NE, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
[email protected]
(202) 442-5424
Or
DC Office of Human Rights
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 570N,
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-4559
Or
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
131 M Street, NE, Fourth Floor, Suite 4NWO2F
Washington, DC 20507
1(800) 669-4000
Students, parents and guardians with concerns regarding disability discrimination should contact:
Section 504 Program Specialist
Office of Student Wellness
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First Street, NE, 11th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 442-5485
[email protected]
Or
DC Office of Human Rights
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 570N
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-4559
Students, parents and guardians with concerns regarding sex discrimination should contact:
Title IX Manager
Compliance and Policy Division
District of Columbia Public Schools
1200 First St, NE, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 719-6541
[email protected]
Or
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
US Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Telephone: 1(800) 421-3481
TDD: (877) 521-2172
FAX: (202) 245-6840
Email: [email protected]
Or
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
US Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Telephone: 1(800) 421-3481
TDD: (877) 521-2172
FAX: (202) 245-6840
Email: [email protected]
Or
DC Office of Human Rights
441 4th Street, NW, Suite 570N
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 727-4559