Equal Opportunity and Treatment Incident (EOTI)
An EOTI is an overt, damaging act directed toward an individual, group, or institution that is motivated by, or has overtones of, race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. The Air Force classifies these incidents as minor, serious, or major. The basis for classification includes number of participants, cost of damages to Government or private property, hospitalization, death, and arson.
Preventing Unlawful Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
Establish the Proper Atmosphere in the Work Center. Mission-degrading factors associated with discriminatory behaviors can be avoided if the atmosphere remains professional. Supervisors set the tone for positive rapport. Discriminatory slurs, comments, or jokes must not be permitted in the work center. Racist and sexist jokes can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the work environment. There is a proverb that says, “The one who uses insults against another may think that they are written in sand, but to the one who receives the insults, they are carved in stone.”
Establish Work Center Policy. Ensure people know that unlawful discrimination and sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Also, ensure military members know they are responsible for their own actions, as well as the conduct of their family members. It must be everyone’s policy, not because the Air Force requires it, but because everyone believes in the principles of the Air Force equal opportunity policy.
Talk with Subordinates on a Regular Basis. Supervisors must establish a rapport with subordinates that fosters positive human relations and be sensitive to the symptoms of increased tension in the workplace, such as requests for transfers, increased absentee problems, and requests for shift changes. The bottom line is to take steps to correct small problems before they become large ones.
Above information derived from AFPAM36-2241V1
