Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) is the principle that all employees should be treated fairly in all aspects of employment, such as hiring, terminations, promotions, compensation, and professional development, regardless of their differences or protected categories. Equal opportunities at work ensure that all employees have an equitable chance to succeed. Understanding EEO is a shared responsibility in the workplace between agency leadership and all staff. Equal opportunities in the workplace promote:
Who EEO applies to:
The Office of Workforce Engagement (OWE) handles EEO appeals for most Executive Branch agencies whose employees are covered by the Virginia Personnel Act (VPA).
OWE does not have authority over:
If you are unsure whether your position is covered, contact your agency’s Human Resources Office for clarification.
Governor’s Executive Order Number Nine (2026) and DHRM Policy 2.05 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
Executive Order Number Nine (2026) also permits appropriate employment preferences for veterans and specifically prohibits discrimination against veterans.
State EEO Policies do not permit the lowering of bona fide job requirements, performance criteria or qualifications in order to give preference to any state employee or applicant for state employment based on the above prohibitions.
State EEO policies also prohibits all employees, including state appointing authorities, agency heads, other management principals, supervisors, and managers from taking retaliatory action against any person making allegations of violations of this policy.
The prohibition against employment discrimination applies to all aspects of the hiring process and employment practices, including: