SMDC EEO office ready to fully assist command

By Jason B. Cutshaw, USASMDC/ARSTRAT Public AffairsMay 20, 2016

SMDC EEO office ready to fully assist command
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command Equal Employment Opportunity office represents the command workforce to promote and maintain a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination based on race... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama -- With a new team in place, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's Equal Employment Opportunity office is ready to help employees feel they are being treated fairly and equally.

The USASMDC/ARSTRAT EEO office, which includes Mary D. Peoples, EEO director, along with command EEO managers Brenda Y. Mack and Pier R. Poe and EEO specialist Sonya M. Jones, was brought up to full strength in May and is now better able to develop, administer, evaluate and advise the commanding general, senior management and employees in the command on EEO program requirements within the federal government.

"These actions will result in the command achieving and maintaining a model EEO program as set forth in EEO Commission directives," Peoples said. "I feel that we can reach out to all command employees worldwide to ensure they are aware of our mission and functions and the let them know that they are a part of the SMDC family. I believe that EEO is important because it helps establish a baseline for acceptable behavior which is important considering the differences in lifestyles, values, and attitudes individuals have.

"People should be judged in the workplace, based upon their ability to do the job, and not based on fears, myths and stereotypes that one may have due to their race, gender, disability, age, religion or national origin," she added.

Peoples said she and her staff strive to ensure SMDC has a workforce that reflects the nation's diversity and that people are assured they have the right to work in an environment free from unlawful discriminatory behaviors. She said the office is responsible for proper accountability, visibility and compliance with Department of Defense, Department of the Army and Federal EEO regulations and directives.

Jones said she processes EEO pre-complaints for Colorado Springs and facilitates resolution of those EEO matters at the lowest possible level. She also supports the EEO staff in Huntsville with initiatives for special emphasis programs.

"EEO is here to advise management and employees on EEO issues and assist in removing triggers and barriers to disparate treatment," Jones said. "We don't just do complaints, we proactively help SMDC solve employment diversity issues so that SMDC will be viewed as one of the Army's 'best places to work.'"

Mack and Poe are seasoned federal employees. They come to the command from places such as the Defense Contract Management Agency, Army Materiel Command, Army Contracting Command and the U.S. Coast Guard, both in the U.S. and overseas.

Mack said she is glad to be back at home and plans on having a robust, proactive EEO complaints and disability program. She stated that being back at the Army is like being home.

Mack's new team member echoed her sentiments and said she looks forward to supporting the workforce.

"I am excited to be back with the Department of Army," Poe said. "I started off as a Department of the Army intern with the EEO program. I plan to ensure all requirements for affirmative employment initiatives are met to help this command achieve and maintain a model EEO program."

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