Role of Equal Opportunity Advisors

Prepared by:Directorate of Research

Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute

Apr 19, 2023

Overview

• Five Major Duty Areas for EOAs• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and

Other Characteristics• Barriers• Best Practices• Emerging Issues• EO Personnel in a Deployed

EnvironmentApr 19, 2023

Five Major Duty Areas for EOAs

• Climate Assessment• Complaint Processing• Education, Training, and

Awareness• General EO/Administrative • Special Observances

Apr 19, 2023

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other

CharacteristicsThree sources used to develop

complete listing of KSAOs

• Department of Labor O*NET• Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)• Exemplary EOAs

Apr 19, 2023

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other

Characteristics• 9 Knowledge areas• 19 Skill areas• 9 Abilities• 23 Work Styles or Other

Characteristics

Apr 19, 2023

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other

characteristics• Knowledge

–Historical events–Human behavior and performance

–Group behavior and dynamics

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• Skills– Active Listening– Facilitation Skills– Negotiation– Social Perceptiveness– Speaking– Writing

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other

characteristics

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• Abilities–Oral Comprehension and Expression

–Problem Sensitivity–Written Comprehension and Expression

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other

Characteristics

Apr 19, 2023

• Other Characteristics– Awareness– Concern for Others– Empathy– Integrity– Leadership– Receptiveness– Self-Awareness– Stress Tolerance

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other

Characteristics

Apr 19, 2023

Barriers

• Communication problems upward and downward

• Buy-in from leadership• Funding• Additional duties (tasks that take

away from EOA duty time)

Apr 19, 2023

Barriers

• Interference with others in leadership (detracts from protection of EO process)

• Personnel with EO issues are prevented from using EOA personnel

• Former EOAs/EORs handling/attempting to resolve current issues

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Barriers

• Personnel cuts/shortages/turnovers without prior notice

• Not informed of policy/procedural changes

• Addition of new responsibilities

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Barriers

• Geographic location of EOA in relation to personnel in the organization

• Privacy for interviews (cubicles vs. offices)

• Command interest in access to EO complainants vs. client needs

Apr 19, 2023

Best Practices

• EOA/Program Manager/Civil Rights personnel conduct senior leader training focusing on equal opportunity and sexual harassment.

• Document the amount of dollars or training days lost due to EO incidents (USCG has a model)

• Bring in guest speakers to address command on EO issues

Apr 19, 2023

Best Practices

• Ensure EO has a seat at the table (staff call, directors’ call, chiefs’ meetings)

• Conduct staff assistance visits to lower echelons (creates a face-to-face environment)

• Conduct teleconferences with outlying units

• Invite a DEOMI Mobil Training Team to conduct training

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Best Practices

• Market program to commanders/key staff personnel

• Establish relationship with resource/budget advisor

• Market program to other affiliates to get buy-in to receive support needed to run EO program

Apr 19, 2023

Best Practices

• Partner with other EO representatives within the organization

• Educate leadership on EO process

Apr 19, 2023

Emerging Issues

• Diversity – Diversity has become a buzzword for leadership. EOAs must at least be able to address diversity within the respective organizations.

Apr 19, 2023

Emerging Issues

• Topics to address when discussing Diversity– Tie diversity to strategic plan *mission/goals*– EO/EEO Laws, policies– Clear policy guidance from DOD– Demographics (particularly promotions)– Protected categories– Education levels– Cultural/Ethnic backgrounds– Management styles/personalities

Apr 19, 2023

Emerging Issues

• Disabled servicemen remaining on active duty

• Age discrimination • Women in combat – career fields

closed to women• Joint Service environments e.g.,

USAF filling in deployed Army units

Apr 19, 2023

Emerging Issues

• Deployment with Coalition Forces• Merging/Joint Bases (conflicts

between services)• Merging EO/EEO duties and

responsibilities (particularly in USAF)

Apr 19, 2023

Senior Leader Emerging Issues

• Religious discrimination• Gang activity• Sexual harassment/assault• Cultural awareness

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EO Personnel in a Deployed Environment

What was the major EO complaint your office dealt with?All of the respondents listed sexual harassment as the primary basis for EO complaints in their respective positions. One individual noted that there may have been an equal amount of racial discrimination complaints as well.

Apr 19, 2023

EO Personnel in a Deployed Environment

What major barrier existed for you or your office in the performance of your EOA/MEO duties?•Separating EO Issues from IG complaints•Establishing the program while in a deployed environment•Convincing leaders that EO was important in a wartime environment (i.e., in comparison to safety concerns associated with mortar attacks)•Lack of quality EO training for soldiers•Absence of trained EOAs in Reserve and Guard components

Apr 19, 2023

EO Personnel in a Deployed Environment

What “best practice” did you employ in support of the EO program?

• Conduct as much training as possible• Raise awareness of the program through contact with

leaders and other soldiers• Gain senior leadership participation in observances• Be a team player and continue to support the mission• Be involved in solving leadership issues beyond EO• Work the program as a Human Relations Office• Network with other relevant agencies (JAG, IG, MP,

CID, Medical, MWR, etc.)

Apr 19, 2023

Summary

• Five Major Duty Areas for EOAs• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and

Other Characteristics• Barriers• Best Practices• Emerging Issues• EO Personnel in a Deployed

EnvironmentApr 19, 2023