Policy
Directive
Effective Date: March 07, 2022
Expiration Date: March 07, 2027
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NASA Policy Directive |
NPD 3713.2L Effective Date: March 07, 2022 Expiration Date: March 07, 2027 |
Ch # |
Date |
Description/Comments |
1 |
2/15/2024 |
Updated with administrative changes made to add policy statements that describe the ten Special Observances that align with Special Emphases Programs already in place at NASA, and to bring the policy section in compliance with NPR 1400.1, NASA Directives and Charters Procedural Requirements. |
NPS 3713-94A NASA Policy Statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility for NASA's Workforce and Workplaces.
a. This directive establishes policy for:
(1) Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants for employment regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and caregiving responsibilities), religion, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or status as a parent. Pursuant to this policy, NASA prohibits discrimination on these bases in the workplace and the Agency's employment practices, to include sexual harassment and sex stereotyping. NASA strives to provide and maintain a work environment that is free of all forms of discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, as well as reprisal or retaliation for engaging in protected EEO activity. NASA also seeks to address harassing conduct at the earliest possible stage before it can become severe or pervasive.
(2) Maintaining a "Model EEO Agency," as required under the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC) Management Directive (MD) 715 and EEOC MD 110.
(3) Model EEO Agency plans, as prescribed by MD 715, that provides policy guidance and standards for establishing and maintaining effective affirmative programs of EEO under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII: Discrimination in Employment, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. and related antidiscrimination laws. NPD 3713.6 Delegation of Authority to Act in Matters Pertaining to Discrimination Complaints, 29 CFR pt. 1614, as revised September 24, 2021, provides Federal agencies with EEOC policies, procedures, and guidance relating to the processing of employment discrimination complaints, the effectiveness and efficiency of which are considered a key part of a Model EEO Agency. NASA is fully committed to implementing all Federal laws, regulations, and EEOC guidance relative to the development of Model EEO Agency plans and annual of accomplishments against those plans. It is NASA's policy to provide Reasonable Accommodations for Employees with Disabilities, NPD 3713.8, Provision of Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities Policy, and as delineated in NPR 3713.1, Reasonable Accommodations Procedures for Individuals with Disabilities.
(4) Model EEO strategies and employment processes. Pursuant to MD 715, NASA's efforts to be a model Agency for EEO include identification of and strategies to address challenges to EEO in any aspect of Agency policies, programs, or practices including, but not limited to, outreach and recruiting, hiring, promoting, training, awareness, and facilities and program accessibility. Model EEO Agency efforts also include monitoring of strategies and employment practices in the areas of hiring, transfers, reassignments, promotions, awards, benefits, and separations. These efforts serve to help attract, gain, and maintain a talented NASA workforce that is reflective of the Nation's demographic diversity.
(5) Proactive approaches to preventing discrimination, consistent with MD 715. NASA's proactive programs provide the workforce with both additional avenues of redress for addressing workplace conflict, NPR 3713.2, Alternative Dispute Resolution in Discrimination Complaints, 29 CFR pt. 1614., harassment, NPR 3713.3, Anti-Harassment Procedures, and education and awareness opportunities regarding equal opportunity (EO) and diversity.
(6) Special Emphasis Programs (SEPs), that are a vital component of a Model EEO Agency program. SEPs are required pursuant to Federal regulations and Executive Orders and are intended to assist in efforts to advance opportunities and engage all members of the workforce, including those from historically underserved and underrepresented groups in American society. NASA has designated seven SEPs: the African American/Black Program, Hispanic Employment Program, Federal Women's Program, Asian American/Pacific Islander Program, American Indian/Alaskan Native Program, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender/and Queer Program, and the Disability Employment Program. NASA remains committed to robust SEPs as a means of attracting and advancing a more demographically diverse workforce. Roles and responsibilities of SEPs include, but are not limited to, advice and education, workforce interface and integration, monitoring and workforce analysis, community outreach and recruitment, and measuring Agency EO Performance.
(7) Recognizing ten Special Observances which align to the aforementioned SEPs, are established by law, bill, Executive Order, or Congressional resolution, and have historical precedence with respect to national and/or federal acknowledgment: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.; African American History Month; Women's History Month; Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) Pride Month; Juneteenth Independence Day; Women's Equality Day; Hispanic Heritage Month; Disability Employment Awareness Month; and American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.
a. This directive is applicable to NASA Headquarters and NASA Centers, including Component Facilities and Technical and Service Support Centers. This Directive applies to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) (a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC)) and other contractors only to the extent specified or referenced in applicable contracts.
b. In this directive, all mandatory actions (i.e., requirements) are denoted by statements containing the term "shall." The terms: "may" or "can" denote discretionary privilege or permission, "should" denotes a good practice and is recommended, but not required, "will" denotes expected outcome, and "are/is" denotes descriptive material.
c. In this directive, "NASA directives" refers to both Agency-level and Center-level directives.
d. In this directive, all document citations are assumed to be the latest version unless otherwise noted.
e. This directive is applicable to NASA directives developed or revised
after the effective date of this NASA Policy Directive (NPD).
a. Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act (NO Fear Act) of 2002, 5 U.S.C. § 2301 note.
b. Equal Pay Act of 1963, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 206(d).
c. Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq.
d. Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 791 et seq.
e. The Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII: Discrimination in Employment, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq.
f. Civil Rights Act of 1991, 42 U.S.C. § 1981a.
g. Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, 42 U.S.C. § 2000ff et seq.
h. Further Amendment to Executive Order 11478, Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government, E.O. 13087, 3 CFR 191 (1998).
i. Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government, E.O. 11478, as amended, 3 CFR 803 (1966-1970).
j. Further Amendment to Executive Order 11478, Equal Employment Opportunity in Federal Government, E.O. 13152, 3 CFR 264 (2001).
k. Transfer of Certain Equal Opportunity Enforcement Functions, E.O. 12106, as amended, 3 CFR 263 (1978-1979).
l. NPD 1000.3, The NASA Organization.
a. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Management Directive 715.
b. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Management Directive 110.
c. NPD 3713.6, Delegation of Authority to Act in Matters Pertaining to Discrimination Complaints, 29 CFR pt. 1614.
d. NPD 3713.8, Provision of Reasonable Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities Policy.
e. NPR 3713.1, Reasonable Accommodations Procedures for Individuals with Disabilities.
f. NPR 3713.2, Alternative Dispute Resolution in Discrimination Complaints, 29 CFR pt. 1614.
g. NPR 3713.3, Anti-Harassment Procedures.
a. Senior Agency leadership, including the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Associate Administrator, and other Officials-in-Charge of Headquarters Offices and Center Directors will:
(1) Exercise personal leadership in establishing, maintaining, and implementing a continuing EEO program to promote EEO in every aspect of Agency human capital policy and practice in the employment, development, advancement, and treatment of employees.
(2) Be held accountable for maintaining an environment in which equality of opportunity can flourish within their programs, missions, or organizations; for adhering to and helping to advance NASA's Model EEO Agency Plan goals and objectives; and for helping to implement and holding employees accountable for adhering to NASA non-discrimination policies and procedures.
b. In consultation with Center Directors, the principal Diversity and Equal Opportunity official at each Center is responsible for the development and implementation of Center Model EEO plans and programs through leadership, advocacy, promotion of employee engagement, and efforts to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
c. The Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity (AA, ODEO) will advise and take the required actions in accordance with NPD 1000.3, The NASA Organization and other relevant policies, including, but not limited to, NPD 3713.6; NPR 3713.2; NPR 3713.3; NPD 3713.8; NPR 3713.1; and this NASA EEO Policy Statement.
d. NASA managers and supervisors will be responsible for implementing this policy. Performance planning and the annual appraisal process will include any general and/or specific requirements (from the Model EEO Agency Plan, related policies, and respective Center Model EEO Plans) for implementing the policy.
e. NASA employees are responsible for adhering to NASA's nondiscrimination
and anti-harassment policies. All employees are also required to adhere to
the Agency's standards of conduct with respect to EEO in the workplace.
a. Establishing and maintaining effective affirmative programs of EEO under Federal anti-discrimination laws.
b. Ensuring, in strategic partnership with key stakeholders, such as the Offices of STEM Engagement, General Counsel, and the Chief Human Capital Officer, that NASA meets all requirements relative to the NASA Model EEO Agency Plan and related Agency policies and programs.
c. Submitting all required annual plans and accomplishment reports on
behalf of the Agency, as appropriate.
a. The AA, ODEO, or the CDO will monitor progress, evaluate results, initiate corrective actions, and periodically report outcomes of EEO processes to external oversight agencies, such as the EEOC, Department of Justice, and Office of Personnel Management (OPM), as well as NASA senior leadership. The AA, ODEO, will communicate relevant information regularly to stakeholders at the Agency and Center levels.
b. NASA submits the following annual plans and accomplishment reports:
(1) NASA's Model EEO Agency Plan to the EEOC. This plan required pursuant to MD 715, includes an accomplishment report, required annually.
(2) The Agency's NO Fear Act Report. This report is required annually. It is provided to the EEOC, Department of Justice, and Congress.
(3) Federal Employment Diversity (FED) Tool Report to the OPM. This
reflects NASA's affirmative employment plans and accomplishment reports
relative to recruitment, hiring, placement, and advancement of various
underrepresented groups. The FED Tool Report requires Federal agencies to
consolidate reporting requirements from various Federal programs,
including disabled veteran employees, particularly with 30 percent or more
disability; employees with disabilities and targeted disabilities; Hispanic
employees; and interns.
AA, ODEO Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity
CDO Chief Diversity Officer
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
E.O. Executive Order
EO Equal Opportunity
EEO Equal Employment Opportunity
EEOC Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
FED Federal Employment Diversity
FFRDC Federally Funded Research and Development Center
JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory
MD Management Directive
NO Fear Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act
NPD NASA Policy Directive
NPR NASA Procedural Requirements
OPM Office of Personnel Management
SEPs Special Emphasis Programs
U.S.C. United States Code
This document does not bind the public, except as authorized by law or as incorporated into a contract. This document is uncontrolled when printed. Check the NASA Online Directives Information System (NODIS) Library to verify that this is the correct version before use: https://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov.