scope:

PURPOSE The purpose of this Directive is to prescribe the procedures and guidelines for Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program for the informal (pre-complaint) stage of the Equal Opportunity (EO) discrimination complaint process. The MSFC ADR Program is a mediation process designed to resolve allegations of workplace discrimination through the facilitation of a neutral third party. It provides an impartial and independent forum for the parties to discuss the dispute and develop a realistic assessment of their own as well as the other party's position and alternatives. MSFC's ADR process is designed to ensure fairness for all parties, enforceability of agreements, and adherence to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) core principles as outlined in EEOC Management Directive (MD) 110. The overall objectives of the ADR Program are to promote open communication between disputing parties, reduce costs, and resolve allegation at the lowest possible organizational level at the earliest opportunity. APPLICABILITY This procedure applies to MSFC and off-site locations.