Equal Employment Opportunity
As an employer, the commonwealth is committed to having a workforce that is diverse and reflects the citizens that it serves. We strive to maintain a workplace where all employees and applicants for employment receive equal opportunities in all aspects of employment. There are numerous policies in place at the commonwealth to help us honor this commitment.
Each agency has an equal employment opportunity that helps to assure equity, opportunity and diversity within that agency.
The main responsibilities of an EEO officer are:
Disability / ADA Services
Pennsylvania is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities. As an employer, PA is required to ensure equal employment opportunities for applicants and employees with disabilities. Included in this responsibility is the requirement to provide an effective reasonable accommodation for an applicant or employee with a disability.
About the Office
In January 2020, the commonwealth established the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity. That office consists of three bureaus: the Bureau of Policy and Appeals, the Bureau of Investigations and the DOC Bureau of Investigations. The Bureau of Policy and Appeals has responsibility for, among other things, appeals of the findings of an EEO investigation, policy development and ADA accommodation request reviews. The Bureau of Investigations responsibility includes investigations of EEO complaints for most commonwealth agencies. DOC investigations conducts investigations of EEO complaints for Department of Corrections and the Board of Parole. Agencies that conduct their own investigations must still follow all EEO Office policies and procedures.
The OA-Equal Employment Opportunity office is the EEO officer for all agencies under the Governor's jurisdiction, except the Pennsylvania State Police.