Workplace Conduct Resources

Learn more about resources for current and former federal judiciary employees, and interviewed applicants.

People

Every current and former federal employee has people to contact for guidance if a workplace conduct issue arises:

National Office of Judicial Integrity

Circuit Director of Workplace Relations

Local Court Employment Dispute Resolution Coordinator

Protections

Every currentand former federal employee is protected from the following forms of wrongful conduct:

Discrimination based on race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age (40+), disability

Discriminatory harassment based on race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age (40+), disability

Abusive Conduct, which is a pattern of demonstrably egregious and hostile conduct not based on a protected category

Retaliation including whistleblower protection

Policies

Every current and former federal employee should be aware of the following policies:

Codes of Conduct for United States Judges and Judicial Employees
Set standards and expectations for conduct in judicial workplace

Employment Dispute Resolution (EDR) Plans
Each court provides options for employees to address concerns about discrimination, harassment, abusive conduct, and retaliation

Rules for Judicial-Conduct & Judicial-Disability Proceedings
Allows anyone to report or file a complaint of misconduct or disability against a federal judge

Processes

Every current and former federal employee has the right to use the following processes:

Informal Processes

  • Report concerns to a supervisor, human resources professional, judge or chief judge, or the National Office of Judicial Integrity, the Circuit Director of Workplace Relations, or the local Employment Dispute Resolution Coordinator
  • Address workplace conduct concerns informally with local court colleagues, supervisors, and judges
  • Receive confidential informal advice from the National Office of Judicial Integrity, a Circuit Director of Workplace Relations, or a local court Employment Dispute Resolution Coordinator

Formal Processes

  • File Request for Assisted Resolution under Employment Dispute Resolution Plan
  • File Employment Dispute Resolution Formal Complaint
  • File complaint under Judicial-Conduct & Judicial-Disability Rules

Note:  Confidentiality requirements do not prevent any employee from reporting wrongful conduct. See Model EDR Plan, § III.

Workplace Conduct in the Federal Judiciary (uscourts.gov)