ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - On Army installations, the responsibility for compliance with Department of the Army regulations governing Equal Opportunity-related practices and programs usually falls on the Garrison Commander who must rely on program managers to oversee requirements.
On Aberdeen Proving Ground, the lead program professional is Garrison (Installation) Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, Rosa Garris-Turner.
The Garrison commander's principal advisor since July 2012, Garris-Turner also advises senior leaders, directors and civilian employees on EEO program requirements. She directs the management of EEO programs and evaluates the impact organization policies, plans, practices and decisions have on the work force. As the "eyes and ears of the commander," she ensures EEO is integrated into programs and that employees, managers and supervisors understand their roles and responsibilities.
Garris-Turner said that like every Army installation, the ultimate goal is for the APG EEO program to be the employer of choice with a diverse and effective work force founded on equality of opportunity.
"Most importantly, we want people to know where we are and how to contact us," she said. "We provide advisory services for employees and management whie maintaining neutrality. Our job is to listen and help facilitate the EEO administrative complaint process."
Garris-Turner and three EEO specialists make up the Installation EEO Office staff. Staff members include Complaints Manager Ashley Reid, Affirmative Employment Program Manager Roxanne Conley and Special Emphasis Progrm Manager Tiphanie Pharris. The services they provide include the EEO complaint processing, counseling, mediation, EEO-related training, advisory services and special emphasis programs management.
Each staff member is assigned as EEO point of contact for specific APG organizations. Organizations not listed below should check with the EEO Office for more information.
Reid: DES, DPTMS, PAO, Chapel, CECOM, MEDCOM, Acquisition Support, Tank Automotive, Field Operations offices, Aviation and Missiles and others.
Conley: FMWR, IRAC, PAIO, Safety, DOL (AMC), RDECOM, CMA, Material Acquisition, Field Operating Agency, CID, Sustainment Command, CHRA and others.
Pharris: DPW, GC, RM, Legal, DHR, ATEC, Contracting, FORSCOM, NETCOM and others.
Garris-Turner said the office serves government civilians and certain contractors as well as applicants for employment and the most common complaints addressed concern discriminatory complaints regarding race or gender. Individuals wanting to file a discrimination complaint must do so within 45 days of the incident, she said.
"Our message to the APG workforce is that we are here for you," she said, "and our goal is that you are treated with dignity and respect."
Garris-Turner's EEO career spans 16 years. She began as an assistant in 1997 and was elevated to EEO specialist trainee from 2000 to 2003 at Fort Bragg, N.C. Between 2003 and 2008 she moved from EEO specialist to Special Emphasis Program Manager, also at Fort Bragg. She served as the IMCOM EEO Manager for the Garrison at Camp Humphreys, Korea, 2008 to 2010 and was acting chief, EEO/Civil Rights IMCOM Southeast Region 2010 to 2011. Prior to coming to APG, from 2011 to 2012, Garris-Turner served as the senior EEO Specialist/Acting EEO Officer for the IMCOM Atlantic Region.
For more information, contact Rosa Garris-Turner, EEO Officer, at 410-278-1140, rosa.l.garristurner2.civ@mail.mil; Ashley Reid, Complaints Manager (Compliance), at 410-278-1137, ashley.l.reid.civ@mail.mil; Affirmative Employment Program Manager (Workforce Analysis) Roxanne Conley, at 410-278-4764, roxanne.r.conley.civ@mail.mil; or Special Emphasis Program Manager (Workforce Analysis) Tiphanie Pharris, at 410-278-1131, tiphanie.n.pharris.civ@mail.mil.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Who may file a complaint
Any employee, former employee, applicant for employment or certain contract employees who believe that he or she has been discriminated against because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, reprisal (prior EEO activity) -- or genetic information in an employment matter, may initiate the Equal Employment Opportunity complaint process.
How to file a complaint
Contact an EEO official at the APG Garrison EEO office within 45 calendar days form the date of the alleged discriminatory act or from the date he or she became aware of a discriminatory act.
Alternative dispute resolution process
Mediation is the Army's preferred method of ADR. Mediation provides opportunities to address employment concerns with the assistance of a trained neutral third party. Mediation is an effective means to resolving workplace disputes and improves working relationships. Employees and supervisors are highly encouraged to use mediation as an alternate method for resolving employment disputes.
Social Sharing