What is EEOI?

In 1991, the NC state legislature initiated the Equal Employment Opportunity Institute (EEOOI) and charged the training to focus on equal employment opportunity laws, including American Disability Act (ADA), [workplace] harassment, and issues concerning the value and management of diversity. Since then, most managers were able to attend the EEOI, but OSP did not have the resources to provide this training to all supervisors and managers in DHHS. We have been granted permission by OSP to have 15+ certified trainers to provide this training for all supervisors and managers. As part of our agreement with OSP, we have committed a good faith effort to have all current supervisors and managers trained in the next two years.

DHHS Secretary Carmen Hooker Odom has made increasing diversity a goal of her administration.

By scheduling and conducting the training within DHHS, we can assure that supervisors and managers receive the training in a timely manner and in a location close to their own work site.

The current EEOI course has recently been revised so that the course length is only two days instead of three.

Note: DHHS also offers an Online Workplace Harassment course that is required for all employees, supervisors, and managers.

Course Description

Equal Employment Opportunity Institute - Level I

Overview

The Equal Employment Opportunity Institute Level I covers EEO law compliance and issues of workplace diversity in State government. It concentrates on developing awareness and building skills that can be used on the job.

Target Group

This course is designed for managers and supervisors. All current supervisors and managers hired, promoted, or appointed since July 1, 1991 who have not yet taken the EEOI are required to take the 2 day DHHS EEOI class by September, '08. Managers and supervisors hired, promoted, or appointed prior to this date are encouraged to attend the Institute.

All new DHHS Supervisors and Managers are required to take DHHS EEOI course within their first year of state employment or promotion.

Objectives

• Provide an understanding and help identify relevant federal Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations.
• Familiarize participants with the North Carolina EEO laws and general statutes.
• Provide an understanding of the challenges of managing diversity in the workplace.
• Help recognize the benefits of multiple perspectives in support of diversity in the workplace.
• Evaluate behavior, especially as it relates to personnel management decision-making.
• Provide an understanding of what it takes to retain, motivate, and promote culturally and socially diverse employees.
• Help managers and supervisors start the analytical process of understanding how stereotyping and prejudice can affect managerial decisions in different work-related situations.
• Learn to interview effectively in situations involving potential discrimination on the basis of age, sex, ethnic origin, or disability.
• Assist managers/supervisors in creating an action plan to start the process of establishing an inclusive and productive workforce.

What will be covered:

• Federal and State EEO Laws
• Legal Aspects of Hiring Employees oInterpersonal Relationships
• Unlawful Workplace Harassment
• Changes in Workforce Demographics
• Understanding and Valuing Diversity
• The Impact of Stereotyping and Prejudice in the Workplace

Methods of Instruction

Discussion, lecture, group exercises and videos.

DHHS EEOI TRAINING SCHEDULE

How to Register

Please Note: OSP will no longer accept registrations from DHHS. Anyone who is currently registered will be able to attend a scheduled class, but no new DHHS participants will be registered.

1. The participants check the schedule, complete the DHHS EEOI Enrollment form, and e-mail or give the request form to their supervisors.
2. The participants' supervisors return the request forms to their division, facility or school Training Coordinators.
3. The Training Coordinator sends the forms to Sylvia Anderson, Western Region EEO Consultant, JIRDC, 300 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or Fax: (828) 433-2799 who will verify space availability and register participants for a class date. E-Mail: Sylvia.C.Anderson@ncmail.net, Fax number 828-433-2799, Phone 828-438-6486.
4. Sylvia will send an e-mail confirmation to the participants' supervisors/managers within one work-week from receipt.
   Important Note: Any participants who do not show up for class or cancel at the last minute will only be allowed to re-register once for another session. If participants do not attend the second scheduled class, their names will be referred to their directors for resolution.
5. The Employee and Management Development (EMD) section will maintain records of course attendance in their database. The EEO office will use this data to verify compliance of supervisors/managers attending the EEOI class.