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Non-Discrimination Policy

The Washington Military Department is committed to preventing discrimination in our work. We do not discriminate against people based on their race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, disability or religion. We do not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights or for the purpose of interfering with such rights.

If you have questions about our civil rights program or concerns about discrimination in our work, please contact our Human Resources Office by email. You may also file a formal discrimination complaint by following the process described below.

Federal non-discrimination laws

As recipients of federal funding, we are required to comply with federal non-discrimination laws, including the following:

  • Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
  • Age Discrimination Act of 1975
  • Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against in the receipt of benefits or services from Washington Military Department on the grounds of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, disability or religion, or believe they have been retaliated against or intimidated on the same grounds, may file a formal complaint with Washington Military Department.

How Members of the Public file a complaint

Please submit your complaint in writing as soon as possible but no later than 180 days from the date the incident you are describing occurred.

Your complaint should contain the following information:

  1. Your name, address, email and phone number.
  2. Name of the program or Washington Military Department employee(s) your complaint concerns.
  3. Description of the alleged discrimination, including the location and date of the event and the basis (race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, disability or religion) as well as the name, address and phone number of complainants and witnesses if available.
  4. Your signature. Or, if someone is filing a complaint on your behalf, their signature.

Accessibility to Persons of Disability and Limited English Proficiency

Persons with disabilities and/or individuals with limited English proficiency may request accommodation/language services for assistance in the complaint process by making a request to accommodations@mil.wa.gov or by calling (253) 512-7376.

Where to send your complaint

Jennifer.Connely@mil.wa.gov

OR

• By mail to:

Jennifer Connely, Human Resources  Division Director
Washington Military Department
Building 33
State Human Resources Office
Tacoma WA 98430-5006.

What happens after we receive a complaint?

First, we will confirm that we received your complaint within seven (7) business days. We will contact you within 10 business days to determine:

  • If Washington Military Department has the power to make decisions and judgements over the complaint.
  • If the complaint will be investigated.
  • What other follow-up action Washington Military Department will take.
  • What other follow-up action may be required on your part.

If we find that Washington Military Department does have jurisdiction over the complaint, the Department will begin an investigation.

During the investigation, we may:

  • Review physical or written evidence.
  • Interview the complainant.
  • Interview any other participants or witnesses to the alleged discrimination including contractors, subcontractors, or recipients of funding from Washington Military Department.

The investigator or a person they designate may attempt to resolve the complaint informally through a mutually agreeable solution. Any informal resolutions must be described in writing and signed by the complainant and the subject of the complaint.

If the investigator finds that discrimination violating civil rights laws has occurred and an informal resolution is not reached, the investigator will recommend a course of action to agency leaders. They or their designee will accept, revise, or reject the investigator’s recommendations and, if appropriate, order the subject of the complaint to implement the action(s).

The investigator will send a written response to the complainant once the investigation is over. This response will contain one of three types of content:

  1. A closure letter that describes the allegations, states that a violation did not occur, and closes the investigation; or
  2. A resolution letter that describes the allegations, the informal resolution that the complainant and subject of the complaint agreed to, or;
  3. A letter of finding that describes the allegations, the investigation of the complaint, and any actions that Washington Military Department will take to remedy the violation.

The Military Department will track complaints through an excel spreadsheet.

How do Military Department employees file a discrimination complaint?

Military Department state and federal employees who wish to file a discrimination complaint should follow the process outlined in their Departmental policy/process for discrimination complaints. Employees who are unsure of how to file a complaint, may contact their Human Resources Department who will provide the applicable policy/procedure and guidance on how to file the complaint.