The EEO counseling and complaint process is available to all NIH and AHRQ employees (current and former), applicants for employment, contractors, Commissioned Corps Officers, and Title 42 employees. Individuals who feel they have been discriminated against because of race, religion, color, national origin, age (40 or older), physical or mental disability, equal pay/compensation, genetic information or sex (including pregnancy, sex stereotyping, gender identity, transgender status and sexual orientation), have access to EEO Counseling. Individuals who feel that they have been retaliated against for opposing employment discrimination, filing a complaint of discrimination, or participating in the EEO complaint process (even if the complaint is not theirs) also have access to EEO Counseling

A note about sexual orientation: Employees should be advised that they may file a complaint under the Part 1614 EEO process or they may utilize any additional complaint procedures provided by HHS where the Department will issue a Final Agency Decision based on the merit of the case. Employees can also utilize the process set forth in the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 by taking their complaint to the Office of Special Counsel or the Merit Systems Protection Board.