An Exemplary Workplace

The Federal Judiciary is committed to a workplace of respect, civility, fairness, tolerance, and dignity, free of discrimination and harassment.  These values are essential to the Judiciary, which holds its Judges and Employees to the highest standards.  All Judges and Employees are expected to treat each other accordingly. 

Anti- Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Notice

The United States District Court and United States Probation Office of the Eastern District of North Carolina prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age (40 years and older), or disability (“protected categories”).  The Court also prohibits harassment based on any protected category, such as sexual or racial harassment, or an abusive conduct, regardless of motivation.  The Court provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals, and employment considerations will be based solely on merit, qualifications, and abilities. 

Employment Dispute Resolution

On October 22, 2021, the Eastern District of North Carolina adopted its Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) Plan based on the 2019 Model EDR Plan adopted by the Judicial Conference of United States.  The EDR Plan allows current and former employees, intern/externs, and applicants who have been interviewed to seek redress for wrongful discrimination and harassment in the workplace and provides other employment law protections. 

The EDR Plan for the Eastern District of North Carolina:

• Affirms the Judiciary’s commitment to an exemplary workplace free from discrimination and harassment;
• Prohibits wrongful conduct, including discrimination or harassment, based on a covered individual’s race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or age (40 years and over);
• Prohibits abusive conduct regardless of motivation;
• Encourages early reporting of any suspected wrongful conduct;
• Provides covered individuals with certain employment rights and protections, and both formal and informal options for resolution to address any alleged violations of those rights;
• Prohibits retaliation for reporting or opposing wrongful conduct, or otherwise participating in any of the procedures under the EDR Plan.

• Eastern District of North Carolina Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) Plan
   
• Your Rights in a Federal Judiciary Workplace
   
• How to Address Wrongful Conduct in the Workplace
   
• EDR Options for Resolution
   
• The EDR Formal Complaint Process
   
• Key Things to Remember About EDR Rights
   
• Judicial Conduct and Disability Act Information

Reporting Wrongful Conduct

The Judiciary encourages early reporting and action on wrongful conduct.  Employees who experience, observe, or learn of reliable evidence of sexual, racial, or other discriminatory harassment or abusive conduct are strongly encouraged to take appropriate action, including reporting it to a supervisor, human resources professional, Unit Executive, Employment Dispute Resolution (“EDR”) Coordinator, Chief Judge, Circuit Director of Workplace Relations, or to the national Office of Judicial Integrity.   Employees are also encouraged to report wrongful conduct in the workplace by non-Employees.  Court and chambers confidentiality requirement do not prevent any Employee – including judicial law clerks – from reporting wrongful conduct by any person.

• Assisted Resolution Form
   
• Agreement to Mediate Form
   
• Formal Complaint Form
   
• Request for Review of Decision (Appeal) Form

EDR Contacts

The EDR Contacts listed below can answer any questions about your employment rights under the EDR Plan, or any other workplace conduct concerns, confidentially and anonymously.

National Office of Judicial Integrity:
Michael Henry, Judicial Integrity Officer
(202) 502-1603
AO_OJI@ao.uscourts.gov