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Equal Employment Opportunity: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Statement of Policy
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is committed to maintaining an environment that values diversity in which all its employees and applicants are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and other related statutes and regulations. More specifically, Metro is committed to ensuring that decisions affecting all Metro employment practices, including: recruitment, selection, promotions, terminations, transfers, layoffs, compensation, training, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment, are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age (40 and over), physical disability, ancestry, mental disability, medical conditions (including cancer, HIV, AIDS), marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal or state law.
Metro is committed to an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program, including goals and timetables, to overcome the effects of past discrimination of minorities and females. EEO principles govern all aspects of Metro’s personnel policies, program practices and operations. The Chief, Office of Civil Rights & Inclusion, updates and revises the EEO Program in accordance with state and federal law.
Metro is committed to provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees who need them because of a disability or to practice or observe their religion, absent undue hardship.
How to file a Title VII Complaint
Any applicant or employee who believes that they may have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age (40 and over), physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), ancestry, mental disability, medical conditions (including cancer), marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal or state statutes, should contact the Office of Civil Rights & Inclusion at 213.418.3190; submit a complaint form via email to eeodept@metro.net; or in writing at Office of Civil Rights & Inclusion, MS 99-19-2, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, within three (3) years of the alleged violation.
In addition, or in lieu of utilizing the Office of Civil Rights complaint process at Metro, a Complainant may file a complaint of discrimination with the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the State of California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and the Department of Transportation (DOT). These entities will send the complaint to Metro for a response, when applicable.
Retaliation against any individual who files a charge or complaint of discrimination, participates in an employment discrimination proceeding (such as an investigation or lawsuit), or otherwise engages in a protected activity is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
The Investigative Process
Once a complaint is received, it is reviewed for jurisdiction. A complaint may be rejected if it is not filed within the time specified above, or, if after review of the allegations, it is determined that EEO policies have not been violated. When a complaint is rejected, EEO will notify the Complainant. Complaints found not to fall under EEO jurisdiction may be referred to the appropriate department at Metro.
If it appears that the alleged action(s) violate(s) Metro’s EEO policies, an investigation will be conducted. An investigation will include a review of the following: the circumstances under which the alleged discrimination occurred; relevant policies and practices related to the complaint; and statements relevant to the allegation.
Whenever applicable, EEO will notify all appropriate parties regarding the disposition of the complaint. If a violation of Metro’s EEO policies is determined, EEO will recommend appropriate corrective action.
The EEO Unit investigates every case in a fair, consistent and timely manner. If at any time during the course of the investigation, a Complainant fails to respond to communications from the EEO Unit after two requests, the complaint may be closed for failure to cooperate.
At any time during the process, the Complainant should promptly notify the EEO Unit in writing if he/she:
- decides to withdraw the complaint;
- files a lawsuit against Metro or its employees
- changes an address, telephone number or other contact information
Title VII FAQs
What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Act of 1972 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991, prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or sex in all institutions with 15 or more employees, including state and local governments and labor organizations.
Who is responsible for carrying our Metro's equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies?
Metro’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for implementing, developing and monitoring Metro’s EEO policies, procedures, and the EEO Program (formerly known as the Affirmative Action Plan). OCR is a neutral fact-finder that also conducts investigations of complaints alleging violation of Title VII, and responds to complaints of discrimination filed with federal and state agencies by Metro employees and applicants.
Who may file a Title VII complaint?
Any employee or applicant who believes that he/she has been the subject of employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age (40 and over), physical disability, ancestry, mental disability, medical conditions (including cancer, HIV and AIDS), marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal or state statutes.
How do I file a Title VII complaint?
Any applicant or employee who believes that he/she may have been subjected to employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age (40 and over), physical disability, ancestry, mental disability, medical conditions (including cancer, HIV and AIDS), marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal or state statutes, may address their concerns to Metro’s Chief, Office of Civil Rights & Inclusion (OCR), by calling the EEO hotline at 213.418.3190 or sending an email to eeodept@metro.net.
To file a complaint of discrimination, the Complainant can submit (in person, via email or via mail) a completed Complaint of Discrimination form or letter to OCR, within three (3) years of the alleged discriminatory act. The Complaint of Discrimination should:
- Fully describe the actions believed to be discriminatory;
- State the basis of the allegation of discrimination and/or harassment (Why?);
- Indicate the remedy being sought; as well as the effort taken to resolve the matter;
- Include supporting documentation/witnesses relevant to the complaint.
The complaint may be filed in writing with Metro’s Office of Civil Rights at:
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Office of Civil Rights, M/S 99-19-2
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Documents
Contact Us
Written complaints may be sent to:
Metro
Director, EEO & Investigations, M/S 99-19-2
One Gateway Plaza
Los Angeles CA 90012
213.418.3190
Los Angeles Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
Roybal Federal Building
255 East Temple St., 4th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90012
800.669.4000
California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)
2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758
800.884.1684
U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
What will OCR do with my complaint?
Once a complaint is received, it is reviewed for jurisdiction. A complaint may be rejected if it is not filed within the three (3) year time period or, if after review of the allegations, it is determined that EEO policies have not been violated. When a complaint is rejected, EEO will notify the Complainant. Complaints found not to fall under EEO jurisdiction may be referred to the appropriate department at Metro.
If it appears that the alleged action(s) violate(s) Metro’s EEO policies, an investigation will be conducted. An investigation will include a review of the following: the circumstances under which the alleged discrimination occurred; relevant policies and practices related to the complaint and statements relevant to the allegation.
