Notification & Federal Employee Antidiscrimination Act of 2002 (No Fear Act)

Introduction

Found that Federal Agencies cannot operate effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination. Requires accountability by Federal agencies for violations of antidiscrimination & whistleblower protection laws. I requires the VA to provide written notic to all employess, former employees & applicants of the rights & protections available under Federal antidiscrimination & whistleblower protection laws. The Act ensures that managers have adequate training in the management of a diverse workforce & in dispute resolution & other essential communication skills. The secretary is committed to providing this training every 2 years. The Act requires the VA to provide training to all employees regarding the rights & remedies under the existing antidiscrimination & whistleblower protection laws.

The VA is required to:

• report annually to congress data regarding the numbers & outcomes of cases where descrimination was alleged to have occurred
• post on its public Web site summary & statistical data relating to equal employment opportunity complaints
• reimburse the general fund of the Treasury for monies paid through court judgements, awards, &/or settlements relating to descrimination & whistleblower violations
  • in doing so, the VA cannot reduce employee compensation, benefits, or the size of the workforce or use reduction-in force or furloughs to pay for the required reimbursements
• does NOT create, expand, or reduce any rights otherwise available to employees under existing laws
• intended to strengthen the enforcement of laws currently in place

More general terms

• Antidiscrimination laws