President Bush signed the Notification and Federal Employee Anti-Discrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002, commonly called the “No FEAR Act”, on May 15, 2002.   The Act mandates that Federal agencies shall be held individually accountable for violations of anti-discrimination and whistleblower protection laws.  

Federal Agency Requirements

• Notify employees and applicants for employment about their rights under the discrimination and whistleblower laws
• Post statistical data relating to Federal sector equal employment opportunity complaints on its public website  (FRA's data is combined with all DOT for the DOT report on the DOT No FEAR site.)
• Ensure that managers have adequate training in the management of a diverse workforce, early and alternative conflict resolution, and essential communications skills
• Conduct studies on the trends and causes of complaints of discrimination
• Implement new measures to improve the complaint process and the work environment
• Initiate timely and appropriate discipline against employees who engage in misconduct related to discrimination or reprisal
• Reimburse the Judgment Fund for any discrimination and whistleblower related settlements or judgments reach in Federal court
• Produce annual reports of status and progress to Congress, the Attorney General and the U.S. Equal Employment Commission