The Judiciary, including Federal Defender Organizations (FDOs), is committed to a workplace of respect, civility, fairness, tolerance, and dignity, free of discrimination and harassment. These values are essential to FDOs, which hold Federal Defenders (FDs) and their Employees to the highest standards. All FDs and Employees are expected to treat each other accordingly.

This Plan provides options for the reporting and resolution of allegations of wrongful conduct (discrimination, sexual, racial, or other discriminatory harassment, abusive conduct, and retaliation) in the workplace. Early action is the best way to maintain a safe work environment. All FDOs, FDs, and Employees have a responsibility to promote workplace civility, prevent harassment or abusive conduct, and to take appropriate action upon receipt of reliable information indicating a likelihood of wrongful conduct under this Plan. See Code of Conduct for Federal Defender Employees, Canon 3(C). This Plan is promulgated by the circuit judicial council and United States Court of Appeals (COA) for adoption by each FD within the circuit, pursuant to their respective authorities under 18 U.S.C. § 3006A(g)(2)(A).

This Plan applies to all FDOs, FDs, current and former Employees (including all FDO law clerks and paid and unpaid interns, externs, and other volunteers), and applicants for FDO employment who have been interviewed. The following persons cannot seek relief under this Plan: FDs,0F1 Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys and applicants, private investigators, retained service providers, community defender employees, volunteer mediators, and any other non-Employees not specified above.