The Federal Reserve Board fired four employees and disciplined five others after receiving sexual harassment complaints between 2020 and 2023, according to a report.
The board – one of the Fed’s three main entities along with the Federal Open Market Committee and the Federal Reserve banks – received a total of 11 sexual harassment complaints during that period, according to a document released by the central bank to Reuters last month.
Between 2020 and 2023, the board issued “last chance” warnings to four staff members for sexual harassment and fired another four for sexual harassment “and other work-related concerns,” according to the list, which was reported by Reuters. Received under Freedom of Information Act request. Last year.
The board also disclosed three other sexual harassment complaints. In two of these cases, the Board said it took no action because one allegation was “not supported” and the other was made against an individual who was not a Fed employee.
Another employee was “advised on unprofessional communications,” according to a list of disciplinary actions taken under the board’s harassment policy. It did not give further details.
“Sexual harassment has no place in our society and is prohibited at the Federal Reserve,” a Fed spokesperson told The Post. “We have a zero-tolerance policy that prohibits all forms of harassment, even if the behavior does not violate the law.”
While federal regulators must disclose the number of equal employment opportunity (EEO) harassment complaints filed against the agency under anti-discrimination laws, they are generally required to disclose disciplinary actions taken against individuals in the absence of such formal complaints. The reported behavior may occur when not required. No violation of law.
As a result, it is unclear how the Fed data released to Reuters compares to that from other agencies.
This report comes after disturbing revelations by the Wall Street Journal last year The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation created a toxic work environment Full of sexual abuse, bullying and racism.
In May, the head of the agency, Martin Gruenberg, announced that he would step down Once a successor was found from his post.
An explosive report by a law firm detailed several instances in which Gruenberg attacked employees who disagreed with him or had to deliver bad news.
Although more than 500 employees have described toxic work environments in reports, the FDIC disclosed only five EEO complaints between 2020 and 2023.
There are a number of reasons why sexual harassment complaints don’t turn into formal EEO complaints, attorneys said.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, federal employees must participate in 30 days of counseling, during which EEO counselors can attempt to resolve the problem before filing a formal complaint.
“I think it’s fair to say that just because the data hasn’t been produced doesn’t mean that sexual harassment didn’t occur,” said Ariel Solomon, an employment lawyer who represents government employees who complain of sexual harassment. Is.” “Of course, we know that some complaints were so serious that termination was absolutely appropriate.”
After the Journal first reported on the FDIC’s toxic work environment last November, the agency sent an email to employees warning that misconduct would not be tolerated.
Marta Chafee, senior associate director in supervision and regulation, then wrote, “Sexual harassment and retaliation have no place on any team.”
with post wires
