Filing a Charge of Discrimination with PAB/OGC

(race, color, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, disability, religion, and genetic information)

Who May File

A GAO employee, applicant for employment, former employee, or labor organization of GAO may file a charge if they believe they have been discriminated against.

When to File

Discrimination involving adverse or performance based actions (removal, suspension for more than 14 days, reduction in grade or pay, or furlough of not more than 30 days):

• You may either file directly with PAB/OGC or file a complaint of discrimination with the Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness (if you wish to file an age discrimination complaint, you may forego filing with PAB/OGC or the Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness and proceed directly to the appropriate United States District Court after providing GAO with at least 30 days notice of your intent to file suit).

• If you wish to file with PAB/OGC you must file your charge within 30 days of the effective date of the action.

• If you wish to file with the Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness, please contact that office immediately for an explanation of their process and filing times.

See GAO Order 2713.2, ch. 3 ¶2.

Discrimination not involving an adverse or performance based action (removal, suspension for more than 14 days, reduction in grade or pay, or furlough of not more than 30 days):

• You must first file a complaint of discrimination with the Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness. You must contact the Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness within 45 days of the date you believe or have reason to believe you were discriminated against. Then you may file your discrimination complaint with PAB/OGC at the following times:
  
• Within 30 days from the date you receive notice that GAO rejected or dismissed all or part of your formal complaint;
  
• Whenever more than 120 days have elapsed since you filed your formal complaint with the Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness; or
  
• Within 30 days from the date you received the Final GAO Decision on your formal complaint

See GAO Order 2713.2, ch. 3 ¶1.

How to File

A charge may be filed in person, or by mail at the address below:
PAB Office of General Counsel
U.S. Government Accountability Office
441 G Street, N.W.
Room 1562
Washington, D.C. 20548

What to File

Persons wishing to file a discrimination charge with PAB/OGC must file a written charge with PAB/OGC. A charge may be submitted in any written form (letter, memorandum, etc.). However, we strongly encourage use of the PAB Office of General Counsel Charge Form. You may obtain this form by clicking on the link or by calling (202) 512-7507.

For further information on procedures after a charge is filed with the PAB/OGC, see What Happens After a Charge is Filed?