[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 78 (Monday, April 23, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 24339-24340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9899]
[[Page 24337]]
Vol. 77
Monday,
No. 76
April 23, 2012
Part IV
The President
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Memorandum of April 18, 2012--Establishing Policies for Addressing
Domestic Violence in the Federal Workforce
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 76 / Monday, April 23, 2012 /
Presidential Documents
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 24339]]
Memorandum of April 18, 2012
Establishing Policies for Addressing Domestic
Violence in the Federal Workforce
Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and
Agencies
Despite the considerable progress made since the
initial passage of the Violence Against Women Act in
1994 (Public Law 103-322), domestic violence remains a
significant problem facing individuals, families, and
communities. Domestic violence causes two million
injuries each year, and an average of three women in
the United States die each day as a result of domestic
violence. While a disproportionate number of victims
are women, domestic violence can affect anyone.
The effects of domestic violence spill over into the
workplace. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention estimate that domestic violence costs our
Nation $8 billion a year in lost productivity and
health care costs alone, and other studies have
suggested that the full economic impact is even higher.
Moreover, many victims of domestic violence report
being harassed in the workplace or experiencing other
employment-related effects.
As the Nation's largest employer, the Federal
Government should act as a model in responding to the
effects of domestic violence on its workforce.
Executive departments and agencies (agencies) have
taken steps to address this issue, including by
enhancing the quality and effectiveness of security in
Federal facilities and by linking victims of domestic
violence with Employee Assistance Programs. By building
on these important efforts and existing policies, the
Federal Government can further address the effects of
domestic violence on its workforce.
It is the policy of the Federal Government to promote
the health and safety of its employees by acting to
prevent domestic violence within the workplace and by
providing support and assistance to Federal employees
whose working lives are affected by such violence.
Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President
by the Constitution and the laws of the United States
of America, I hereby direct the following:
Section 1. Government-wide Guidance to Address the
Effects of Domestic Violence on the Federal Workforce.
Within 240 days of the date of this memorandum, the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
shall, in consultation with the Attorney General, the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary
of Labor, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other
interested heads of agencies:
(a) issue guidance to agencies on the content of
agency-specific policies, as required by section 2 of
this memorandum, to prevent domestic violence and
address its effects on the Federal workforce. The
guidance shall include recommended steps agencies can
take as employers for early intervention in and
prevention of domestic violence committed against or by
employees, guidelines for assisting employee victims,
leave policies relating to domestic violence
situations, general guidelines on when it may be
appropriate to take disciplinary action against
employees who commit or threaten acts of domestic
violence, measures to improve workplace safety related
to domestic violence, and resources for identifying
relevant best practices related to domestic violence;
(b) establish a process for providing technical
assistance to agencies in developing agency-specific
policies, consistent with the guidance created
[[Page 24340]]
pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, that meet
the needs of their workforce; and
(c) consider whether issuing further guidance is
warranted with respect to sexual assault and stalking
and, if so, issue such guidance.
Sec. 2. Agency-Specific Actions and Policies. (a)
Within 90 days from the date of this memorandum, each
agency shall make available to the Director of OPM any
existing agency-specific policies and practices for
addressing the effects of domestic violence on its
workforce.
(b) Within 120 days from the issuance of the
guidance created pursuant to section 1 of this
memorandum, each agency shall develop or modify, as
appropriate, agency-specific polices for addressing the
effects of domestic violence on its workforce,
consistent with OPM guidance. Each agency shall submit
for review and comment to the Director of OPM, a draft
new or modified agency-specific policy. In reviewing
the draft agency-specific policies, the Director of OPM
shall consult with the Attorney General, the Secretary
of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Labor,
the Secretary of Homeland Security, and other
interested agency heads. Each agency shall issue a
final agency-specific policy within 180 days after
submission of its draft policy to the Director of OPM.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this
memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise
affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent
with applicable law and subject to the availability of
appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does
not, create any right or benefit, substantive or
procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any
party against the United States, its departments,
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or
agents, or any other person.
The Director of OPM is hereby authorized and directed
to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
(Presidential Sig.)
THE WHITE HOUSE,
Washington, April 18, 2012
[FR Doc. 2012-9899
Filed 4-20-12; 11:15 am]
Billing code 6325-01-P