No FEAR Act Notice, 12720-12721 [2016-05421]

Download as PDF 12720 ACTION: Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 2016 / Notices Notice. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Currently, CNCS is soliciting comments concerning its proposed renewal of the CNCS Forbearance Request for National Service Form (OMB#3045–0030). The CNCS Forbearance Request for National Service Form (OMB#3045–0030) is used to certify that AmeriCorps members are eligible for forbearance based on their enrollment in a national service position. AmeriCorps members use the form to request forbearance. Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice. DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by May 9, 2016. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods: (1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service, National Service Trust; Attention: Nahid Jarrett, Trust Officer, 250 E Street SW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20525. (2) By hand delivery or by courier to the CNCS mailroom at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. (3) By fax to: 202–606–3484, Attention: Nahid Jarrett. (4) Electronically through www.regulations.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY–TDD) may call 1–800–833–3722 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nahid Jarrett, 202–606–6753, or by email at njarrett@cns.gov. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Mar 09, 2016 CNCS is particularly interested in comments that: • Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of CNCS, including whether the information will have practical utility; • Evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; • Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and • Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Jkt 238001 Background CNCS supports programs that provide opportunities for individuals who want to become involved in national service. The service opportunities cover a wide range of activities over varying periods of time. Upon successfully completing an agreed-upon term of service in an approved AmeriCorps program, an AmeriCorps member receives an education award. Current Action CNCS seeks to renew the current information collection request CNCS Forbearance Request for National Service Form, which certifies that AmeriCorps members are eligible for forbearance based on their enrollment in a national service position. AmeriCorps members use the form to request forbearance from their loan servicer. CNCS also seeks to continue using the current form until the revised application is approved by OMB. The current application is due to expire on March 31, 2016. Type of Review: Renewal. Agency: CNCS. Title: CNCS Forbearance Request for National Service Form. OMB Number: 3045–0030. Agency Number: None. Affected Public: AmeriCorps members and alumni that wish to request forbearance on qualified student loans and qualified loan servicers. Total Respondents: 69,300. Frequency: One or more per education award. Average Time per Response: Averages 5 minutes. PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Estimated Total Burden Hours: 5,775. Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None. Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): None. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: March 4, 2016. Maggie Taylor-Coates, Chief of Trust Operations. [FR Doc. 2016–05348 Filed 3–9–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6050–28–P COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY No FEAR Act Notice Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) is providing notice to its employees, former employees, and applicants for CIGIE employment about the rights and remedies available to them under the Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection, and retaliation laws. This notice constitutes CIGIE’s initial notification pursuant to the Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act or Act), as implemented by Office of Personnel Management regulations. See 5 CFR part 724. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Atticus J. Reaser, General Counsel, CIGIE, (202) 292–2600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 15, 2002, Congress enacted the ‘‘Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002,’’ which is now known as the No FEAR Act. One purpose of the Act is to ‘‘require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.’’ Public Law 107–174, Summary. In support of this purpose, Congress found that ‘‘agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.’’ Public Law 107–174, Title I, General Provisions, section 101(1). The Act also requires this agency to provide this notice to Federal employees, former Federal employees and applicants for Federal employment SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM 10MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 47 / Thursday, March 10, 2016 / Notices to inform you of the rights and protections available to you under Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Antidiscrimination Laws A Federal agency cannot discriminate against an employee or applicant with respect to the terms, conditions or privileges of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status or political affiliation. Discrimination on these bases is prohibited by one or more of the following statutes: 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1), 29 U.S.C. 206(d), 29 U.S.C. 631, 29 U.S.C. 633a, 29 U.S.C. 791 and 42 U.S.C. 2000e–16. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability, you must contact an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) counselor within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action, or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 calendar days of the effective date of the action, before you can file a formal complaint of discrimination with your agency. See, e.g., 29 CFR 1614. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, you must either contact an EEO counselor as noted above or give notice of intent to sue to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action. If you are alleging discrimination based on marital status or political affiliation, you may file a written complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) (see contact information below). In the alternative (or in some cases, in addition), you may pursue a discrimination complaint by filing a grievance through your agency’s administrative or negotiated grievance procedures, if such procedures apply and are available. Whistleblower Protection Laws A Federal employee with authority to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve any personnel action must not use that authority to take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action against an employee or applicant because of disclosure of information by that individual that is reasonably believed to evidence violations of law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, unless disclosure of such information is specifically prohibited by law and such information is specifically required by Executive VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Mar 09, 2016 Jkt 238001 order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. Retaliation against an employee or applicant for making a protected disclosure is prohibited by 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(8). If you believe that you have been the victim of whistleblower retaliation, you may file a written complaint (Form OSC–11) with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel at 1730 M Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036–4505 or online through the OSC Web site—https://www.osc.gov. Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity A Federal agency cannot retaliate against an employee or applicant because that individual exercises his or her rights under any of the Federal antidiscrimination or whistleblower protection laws listed above. If you believe that you are the victim of retaliation for engaging in protected activity, you must follow, as appropriate, the procedures described in the Antidiscrimination Laws and Whistleblower Protection Laws sections or, if applicable, the administrative or negotiated grievance procedures in order to pursue any legal remedy. Disciplinary Actions Under the existing laws, each agency retains the right, where appropriate, to discipline a Federal employee for conduct that is inconsistent with Federal Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower Protection Laws up to and including removal. If OSC has initiated an investigation under 5 U.S.C. 1214, however, agencies must seek approval from OSC to discipline employees for, among other activities, engaging in prohibited retaliation. Nothing in the No FEAR Act alters existing laws or permits an agency to take unfounded disciplinary action against a Federal employee or to violate the procedural rights of a Federal employee who has been accused of discrimination. Additional Information For further information regarding the No FEAR Act regulations, refer to 5 CFR part 724, as well as the appropriate offices within your agency (e.g., EEO/ civil rights office, human resources office or legal office). Additional information regarding Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection and retaliation laws can be found at the EEOC Web site—https:// www.eeoc.gov and the OSC Web site— https://www.osc.gov. PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 12721 Existing Rights Unchanged Pursuant to section 205 of the No FEAR Act, neither the Act nor this notice creates, expands or reduces any rights otherwise available to any employee, former employee or applicant under the laws of the United States, including the provisions of law specified in 5 U.S.C. 2302(d). Dated: March 4, 2016. Mark D. Jones, Executive Director, Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency. [FR Doc. 2016–05421 Filed 3–9–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820–C9–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army [Docket ID: USA–2015–HQ–0039] Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. The Department of Defense has submitted to OMB for clearance, the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by April 11, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Licari, 571–372–0493. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title, Associated Form and OMB Number: Department of Defense Standard Tender of Freight Services; SDDC Form 364–R; OMB Control Number 0704–0261. Type of Request: Reinstatement, without change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. Number of Respondents: 170,825. Responses per Respondent: 1. Annual Responses: 170,825. Average Burden per Response: 20 minutes. Annual Burden Hours: 56,372.25. Needs and Uses: The information derived from the DoD tenders on file with the Military Service Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) is used by SDDC subordinate commands and DoD shippers to select the best value carriers to transport surface freight shipments. Freight carriers furnish information in a uniform format so that the Government can determine the cost of transportation, accessorial, and security services, and select the best value carriers for 1.1 million Bill of Lading shipments annually. The DoD tender is the source document for the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\10MRN1.SGM 10MRN1

Agencies

Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12720-12721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05421]


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COUNCIL OF THE INSPECTORS GENERAL ON INTEGRITY AND EFFICIENCY


No FEAR Act Notice

AGENCY: Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
Efficiency (CIGIE) is providing notice to its employees, former 
employees, and applicants for CIGIE employment about the rights and 
remedies available to them under the Federal antidiscrimination, 
whistleblower protection, and retaliation laws. This notice constitutes 
CIGIE's initial notification pursuant to the Notification and Federal 
Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act or 
Act), as implemented by Office of Personnel Management regulations. See 
5 CFR part 724.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Atticus J. Reaser, General Counsel, 
CIGIE, (202) 292-2600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 15, 2002, Congress enacted the 
``Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation 
Act of 2002,'' which is now known as the No FEAR Act. One purpose of 
the Act is to ``require that Federal agencies be accountable for 
violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.'' 
Public Law 107-174, Summary. In support of this purpose, Congress found 
that ``agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or 
tolerate discrimination.'' Public Law 107-174, Title I, General 
Provisions, section 101(1).
    The Act also requires this agency to provide this notice to Federal 
employees, former Federal employees and applicants for Federal 
employment

[[Page 12721]]

to inform you of the rights and protections available to you under 
Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.

Antidiscrimination Laws

    A Federal agency cannot discriminate against an employee or 
applicant with respect to the terms, conditions or privileges of 
employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 
age, disability, marital status or political affiliation. 
Discrimination on these bases is prohibited by one or more of the 
following statutes: 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1), 29 U.S.C. 206(d), 29 U.S.C. 
631, 29 U.S.C. 633a, 29 U.S.C. 791 and 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16.
    If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful 
discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national 
origin or disability, you must contact an Equal Employment Opportunity 
(EEO) counselor within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory 
action, or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 calendar days 
of the effective date of the action, before you can file a formal 
complaint of discrimination with your agency. See, e.g., 29 CFR 1614. 
If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination 
on the basis of age, you must either contact an EEO counselor as noted 
above or give notice of intent to sue to the Equal Employment 
Opportunity Commission (EEOC) within 180 calendar days of the alleged 
discriminatory action. If you are alleging discrimination based on 
marital status or political affiliation, you may file a written 
complaint with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) (see contact 
information below). In the alternative (or in some cases, in addition), 
you may pursue a discrimination complaint by filing a grievance through 
your agency's administrative or negotiated grievance procedures, if 
such procedures apply and are available.

Whistleblower Protection Laws

    A Federal employee with authority to take, direct others to take, 
recommend or approve any personnel action must not use that authority 
to take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a 
personnel action against an employee or applicant because of disclosure 
of information by that individual that is reasonably believed to 
evidence violations of law, rule or regulation; gross mismanagement; 
gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and 
specific danger to public health or safety, unless disclosure of such 
information is specifically prohibited by law and such information is 
specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the 
interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs.
    Retaliation against an employee or applicant for making a protected 
disclosure is prohibited by 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(8). If you believe that 
you have been the victim of whistleblower retaliation, you may file a 
written complaint (Form OSC-11) with the U.S. Office of Special Counsel 
at 1730 M Street, NW., Suite 218, Washington, DC 20036-4505 or online 
through the OSC Web site--https://www.osc.gov.

Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity

    A Federal agency cannot retaliate against an employee or applicant 
because that individual exercises his or her rights under any of the 
Federal antidiscrimination or whistleblower protection laws listed 
above. If you believe that you are the victim of retaliation for 
engaging in protected activity, you must follow, as appropriate, the 
procedures described in the Antidiscrimination Laws and Whistleblower 
Protection Laws sections or, if applicable, the administrative or 
negotiated grievance procedures in order to pursue any legal remedy.

Disciplinary Actions

    Under the existing laws, each agency retains the right, where 
appropriate, to discipline a Federal employee for conduct that is 
inconsistent with Federal Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower 
Protection Laws up to and including removal. If OSC has initiated an 
investigation under 5 U.S.C. 1214, however, agencies must seek approval 
from OSC to discipline employees for, among other activities, engaging 
in prohibited retaliation. Nothing in the No FEAR Act alters existing 
laws or permits an agency to take unfounded disciplinary action against 
a Federal employee or to violate the procedural rights of a Federal 
employee who has been accused of discrimination.

Additional Information

    For further information regarding the No FEAR Act regulations, 
refer to 5 CFR part 724, as well as the appropriate offices within your 
agency (e.g., EEO/civil rights office, human resources office or legal 
office). Additional information regarding Federal antidiscrimination, 
whistleblower protection and retaliation laws can be found at the EEOC 
Web site--https://www.eeoc.gov and the OSC Web site--https://www.osc.gov.

Existing Rights Unchanged

    Pursuant to section 205 of the No FEAR Act, neither the Act nor 
this notice creates, expands or reduces any rights otherwise available 
to any employee, former employee or applicant under the laws of the 
United States, including the provisions of law specified in 5 U.S.C. 
2302(d).

    Dated: March 4, 2016.
Mark D. Jones,
Executive Director, Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and 
Efficiency.
[FR Doc. 2016-05421 Filed 3-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6820-C9-P

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