No Fear Act

The “Notification and Federal Anti-Discrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002” (Public Law 107-174), commonly referred to as the No FEAR Act, requires that federal agencies be publicly accountable for violations of anti-discrimination and whistleblower protection laws. Amongest other things, the No FEAR Act requires federal agencies to post statistical data relating to federal sector EEO complaints on its public website and notify employees and applicants for employment about their rights under the federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower laws.

For further information regarding the No FEAR Act regulations, refer to 5 CFR part 724, as well as the FMCS Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (eeo@fmcs.gov). Additional information regarding Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection and retaliation laws can be found at the EEOC Web site (http://www.eeoc.gov) and the OSC Web site (http://www.osc.gov).

Complaints of Discrimination

FMCS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The FMCS Office of Equal Employment Opportunity is primarily responsible for enforcing laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination based on protected status under the law.

If you believe you have been unlawfully discriminated against by FMCS or its officials, you must contact the FMCS Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (eeo@fmcs.gov) within 45 days of the alleged discriminatory incident, the effective date a personnel action or the date you gained knowledge of an alleged discriminatory action. For information about the complaint process, including the administrative and judicial remedies, go to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regulations at 29 CFR 1614. You may contact the EEOC by calling 1-800-669-4000 or (202) 663-4900. Discriminatory or retaliatory conduct by an employee while performing official duties can lead to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

EEO Know Your Rights

Requesting an Accommodation:

A request for accommodation can occur by emailing FMCS at FMCSRA@fmcs.gov.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require federal agencies to make electronic and information technology (EIT) accessible to people with disabilities. The law 29 U.S.C § 794 (d) applies to all federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508, agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information comparable to the access available to others. The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) is committed to providing accessible Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to all individuals seeking information from our website. For more information, visit our Section 508 information page here.

Notice of Rights Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. § 4151-57)

The Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) requires facilities that are designed, built, altered, or leased with Federal funds be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The ability of our workforce and guests to fully experience our Agency is important to us.

The U.S. Access Board is an independent federal agency that promotes equality for people with disabilities through leadership in accessible design and the development of accessibility guidelines and standards. The Access Board’s ABA accessibility standards are available on its website.

Information about filing an ABA complaint with the Access Board may be found in its online ABA complaint form. 

How To Report A Complaint
If you experience a barrier accessing any of our offices, please contact us at ABApublicaccess@fmcs.gov and provide the following:

  • Required: provide information about the building such as building number, address, floor, etc.
  • Required: list and describe all of the accessibility barriers that have been encountered in the building or facility
  • Optional: provide your name or contact information. If you provide your contact information, we will be able to communicate with you about our investigation. Your name or contact information will not be disclosed without your express permission.
  • Optional: provide any supporting documentation you wish to include with your complaint.

Within two weeks of filing, you will receive an acknowledgment of your complaint, if you have provided your contact information. This acknowledgment will include information about your complaint as well as the investigative process.

Complaints are investigated to determine if the identified accessibility barrier violates an applicable standard. Depending on the results of the investigation, FMCS will work to remedy the accessibility barriers and inform you when the remediation is complete.