EEO Compliance Line

What is RTD’s EEO Compliance Line?

RTD’s EEO Compliance Line is a confidential online reporting system maintained by a third-party partner, EthicsPoint. It is a comprehensive and confidential reporting tool created by NAVEX Global to help management and employees work together to address misconduct in the workplace while cultivating an equitable and respectful work environment.

The Compliance Line is available to all employees, applicants, passengers, and others 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Reporting

How can I file a complaint with the Compliance Line?

With RTD’s EEO Compliance Line, you have the ability to file confidential reports online or by telephone.

You can file a report from any computer that can access the internet. Computers at many public locations, including the public library, have access to the internet. If you don’t have access to or are uncomfortable using a computer, you can call the toll-free line, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What types of situations should I report?

RTD’s EEO Compliance Line system is designed for RTD employees, applicants, passengers, and others to report any violation of our stated RTD Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

If I see a possible violation, shouldn’t I just report it to my manager?

You can bring concerns to any member of our management team and they can refer your concerns to the Equal Employment Opportunity Office for you. You may also report violations by contacting the Equal Employment Opportunity Office directly at equalemp@RTD-denver.com or (303) 299.2111 (Option 3 for EEO)

We recognize, however, that there may be circumstances when you are not comfortable filing a complaint in any of these ways. Our partnership with EthicsPoint allows you to report your concern directly or even anonymously through RTD’s EEO Compliance Line at any time or day of the week.

Why should I report inappropriate behavior?

We all have the right to work in a positive environment. With that right comes the responsibility of acting in respectful and equitable manner and letting the proper people know if someone is not acting appropriately. By working together, we can maintain a positive and productive work culture.

Where do these complaints go? Who can access them?

Complaints filed directly with EthicsPoint are maintained on a secure server and are available only to the RTD EEO Office, which is charged with evaluating the report filed through the EEO Compliance Line.

What if I remember something important about the incident after I file a complaint? Or want to check its status?

If you file a complaint or otherwise report concerns through RTD’s EEO Compliance Line, you will receive a unique username and then choose a password. You can return to the system again either by internet or telephone and access the original report to add more detail or answer questions posed by the EEO Office and add further information that will help resolve open issues. Additionally, you can check the status of your report and receive updates through the system from the EEO Office.

Confidentiality/Anonymity

What does confidentiality mean?

Every effort will be made to respect and safeguard the confidentiality and privacy interests of all individuals involved in a manner consistent with the need for a careful assessment of the allegation(s) and any necessary steps to eliminate the conduct, prevent its recurrence, and address its effects.

Can I file an anonymous report?

Yes. However, sometimes the full extent of a complainant’s concerns can only be learned by meeting with the individual who has the concern, and therefore an investigation of an anonymous complaint can be limited. That said, we encourage you to report misconduct in the way that makes you feel most comfortable.

A report from work or home, a neighbor’s computer, or any internet portal will remain secure and anonymous if you choose. The EthicsPoint system strips away internet addresses so that anonymity is maintained. For telephonic filings, you will be asked to provide the same information that you would provide in an internet-based report and an interviewer will type your responses into the EEO Compliance Line site, including your response to the question whether you wish to report anonymously.

I am not sure if what I have observed is a violation of our stated RTD Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do?

RTD strives to create and maintain a community in which people are treated fairly and with respect. Any conduct that could be a violation of our stated RTD Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement, at any level, ultimately hurts the District and all employees. We encourage you to file a report and a team member of the EEO Office can evaluate the reported conduct to better understand what is occurring and determine if an investigation is necessary to address inappropriate behavior. We’d rather you report a situation that turns out to be harmless than let some inappropriate workplace behavior impact the work culture.

Process

Who is the complainant?

A complainant is a party who alleges that they have been the subject of a discriminatory act.

Who is the reporting party?

The reporting party is any person who has shared a concern or incident of discrimination, harassment or other prohibited conduct under RTD’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement, and policies and procedures. A reporting party is not necessarily the complainant.

Who is the respondent?

The respondent is an individual responding to allegations that they have behaved contrary to RTD’s Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement, and policies and procedures.

Who is the investigator?

The investigator is an objective, neutral factfinder with relevant training and experience who conducts fact-finding investigations of reports filed through management, directly with the EEO Office, or via the EEO Compliance Line. The investigator does not have any disciplinary authority.

What happens in an investigation?

A fact-finding investigation includes consideration of general and specific allegations reviewed against the relevant policies and procedures. Among other things, an investigator, acting as a neutral factfinder, conducts interviews and reviews documents. RTD prohibits retaliation for participation in the investigation and/or making complaints under the Equal Opportunity Policy Statement.

What are findings of fact?

An investigator will issue, to the complainant and respondent, a letter of determination detailing the results of the fact-finding investigation. Findings are based on the preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning that the investigator must determine whether the alleged behavior is more likely to have occurred than not based on the information available.