The Federal Reserve fired four employees and disciplined five others after receiving complaints alleging sexual harassment between 2020 and 2023, according to the report.
The Federal Open Market Committee, one of the Fed's three main agencies along with the Federal Reserve, received a total of 11 sexual harassment complaints during that period, according to documents the central bank released to Reuters last month. It is said that he received it.
From 2020 to 2023, the board issued “last chance” warnings to four staffers for sexual harassment, and issued “last chance” warnings to four employees for sexual harassment, according to a list obtained under a Freedom of Information Act request filed by Reuters. Another four people were fired due to the above issues. last year.
The board also disclosed three other sexual harassment complaints. In two of the cases, the board said it took no action because one complaint was “unsupported” and the other was against an individual who was not a Fed employee.
Another staff member was “counseled for unprofessional communication,” according to a list of disciplinary actions taken under the board's harassment policy. No further details were provided.
“Sexual harassment has no place in our society and is prohibited at the Federal Reserve Board,” a Fed spokesperson told the Post. “We have a zero-tolerance policy that prohibits all forms of harassment, even if it does not violate the law.”
Federal regulators are required to disclose the number of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) harassment complaints filed against government agencies under anti-discrimination laws, but generally if the reported conduct is dangerous; There is no need to disclose disciplinary action taken against an individual in the absence of such a formal complaint. Do not violate the law.
As a result, it's unclear how the Fed's data released to Reuters compares with data from other agencies.
The report follows disturbing revelations in the Wall Street Journal last year that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation fostered a toxic work environment rife with sexual misconduct, bullying, and racism. It was announced after.
In May, the agency's head, Martin Gruenberg, announced he would step down from his position once a replacement was found.
A scathing report conducted by a law firm detailed multiple instances in which Mr. Gruenberg lashed out at employees who disagreed with him or had to deliver bad news. .
Although more than 500 employees described toxic work conditions in the report, the FDIC disclosed only five EEO complaints between 2020 and 2023.
Lawyers say there are several reasons why a sexual harassment complaint may not become a formal EEO complaint.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal employees must participate in 30 days of counseling with an EEO counselor to try to resolve the issue before filing a formal complaint.
“I think it's fair to say that just because the data isn't being submitted doesn't mean sexual harassment doesn't exist,” said Ariel Solomon, an employment lawyer who represents government employees who make accusations of sexual harassment. says. “We do know that some of the complaints were serious enough that dismissal was absolutely appropriate.”
After the Journal first reported on the FDIC's toxic work environment last November, the agency sent an email to staff warning that misconduct would not be tolerated.
“Sexual harassment and retaliation should not be tolerated by any team,” wrote Marta Chaffee, senior associate director of supervision and regulation.
with post wire
