Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Compliance
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws involve specific types of job discrimination.
At Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS), various Board policies and state and federal laws prohibit:
- Discrimination in terms and conditions of employment
- Sexual harassment
- Workplace bullying and/or harassment
All internal workplace bullying, harassment, or discrimination complaints are investigated by the Employee Rights Administration Division (ERAD). In lieu of an investigation, the complainant and the accused may agree to participate in the voluntary Guided Problem Solving (GPS) program. The complaint process is confidential to the extent required by state and federal law.
Board policies governing personnel can be found in Chapter 6 of the Administrative Policy (PDF).
Discrimination
Complaints regarding discrimination or harassment against an individual based on age (40 or over), disability, race, religion (creed), color, marital status, military service (veteran status), sex (gender), sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, or any other legally protected characteristic which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment should be filed with your immediate supervisor, the school principal, or ERAD.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
- Submission to such conduct, either explicitly or implicitly, is made a term or condition of an individual's employment OR
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual
Contact ERAD to report sexual harassment. For additional guidance, refer to Administrative Policy 6.03. If the sexual harassment involves students, contact the school principal.
Workplace Bullying/Harassment
The district is committed to providing a work environment free from any and all types of workplace bullying. Bullying is deliberate or intentional behavior using words or actions intended to cause fear, humiliation, harm, or social exclusion. Bullying may be repeated behavior and often involves an imbalance in power.
Harassment or bullying based on gender identity, expression, or nonconformity is specifically prohibited.
Download a Bullying Complaint Form
Guided Problem Solving (GPS)
Guided Problem Solving (GPS) is a voluntary workplace dispute resolution option for MPS employees to resolve employment conflicts. The program is hosted by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) and is open to all employees as of July 1, 2014. The option is also available specifically to applicants and employees who have filed an internal complaint concerning harassment, bullying, or discrimination.
District administrators and supervisors who have successfully completed training in dispute resolution skills will coordinate a confidential GPS session between the complainant and the accused. Employees may also submit a joint request for GPS. Please call (414) 773-9876 if you have any questions.
More Information
If you have additional questions, you can contact:
Yashica Spears, EEO Compliance Specialist
Phone: (414) 475-8427
Email: spearsyq@milwaukee.k12.wi.us