EQUITY & CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE
NON-TITLE IX DISCRIMINATION, HARASSMENT OR RETALIATION INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURE[1]
Complaints alleging (i) discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, national origin/ethnicity, sex (including sexual harassment, sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, protected veteran status, or disability or (ii) retaliation for protected activity should be submitted to the Investigations & Hiring unit of Equity & Civil Rights Compliance. Complaints may be submitted by completing and submitting an incident report via our intake form. Employees and students also may email the unit at [email protected] or call the unit at 404-413-2561, and they will be directed to the intake form.
Completed incident reports are reviewed by the Director of Investigations & Hiring. Incident reports that do not concern protected category discrimination, harassment, or retaliation are referred to the appropriate unit. Incident reports concerning discrimination, harassment, or retaliation are assigned to an investigator, who conducts an intake interview with the complainant. The investigator may also request relevant documents. If, after intake, the investigator believes that the complainant has failed to state an actionable claim (i.e., even if all events occurred as alleged, the conduct in question does not constitute discrimination, harassment, or retaliation), the investigator will consult with the Director. If the Director agrees that the complainant has failed to state a claim, the matter will be dismissed, and the complainant will receive a memorandum explaining the reason for dismissal. Otherwise, the investigator proceeds with the investigation by sending the respondent a Notice of Allegation of Discrimination (NOAD) setting forth the specific allegations, the policies implicated, and the parties’ rights. The respondent’s supervisor is copied on the NOAD. The respondent has five business days from receipt of the NOAD to schedule an interview with the investigator. Respondents may, but are not required, to submit a written response. The NOAD may be revised and reissued at any time during the investigation if additional policies are implicated.
The investigator interviews witnesses referred by the parties and collects and reviews any relevant documentary evidence. This process may involve multiple interviews with the parties. Parties and witnesses will be asked to review summaries of their interviews for accuracy shortly after those interviews have occurred. At the conclusion of the investigation, the investigator issues a draft investigative summary to the parties. The parties have five business days to review and respond to the draft. They also may review the relevant evidence. A non-response to the draft report is considered acceptance of its contents. The final report is then issued to the parties, the respondent’s supervisor, and other administrators as appropriate.
If there was no finding of a policy violation, the matter is dismissed and closed. If the respondent was found responsible for a policy violation, the matter is referred to Employee Relations (staff respondent) or the Office of Faculty Affairs (faculty respondent) for appropriate sanctions and/or remedial action, in consultation with the Office of Legal Affairs, as appropriate. Matters may be referred for remedial action even if no violation was found. If the Director concludes at any point that informal resolution may be more effective or appropriate, the parties will be notified.
[1] If it is determined during initial review of a complaint that the allegations fall under Title IX, both parties will be notified.
For more information, call (404)413-2561 or email [email protected]
Below are the main questions and steps to filing a complaint.
AA/EEO Investigation and Hiring
What Is A Complaint?
Where Do I Go If I Have A Complaint?
How Long Will I Have To Complete And Turn In My Complaint Form?
What Happens During The Complaint Process?
How Long Does The Complaint Process Take?
Can I Be Retaliated Against For Filing A Complaint?
How Will I Know When The Complaint Process Is Over?
When The Complaint Is Over, What Documents Can I Have A Copy Of?
Office Location
One Park Place
5th Floor, Suite 527
Atlanta, GA 30303
Tel: 404-413-2561
Fax: 404-413-3295
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours
Monday-Friday,
8:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.
Mailing Address
One Park Place
P.O. Box 3983
Atlanta, GA 30303