Employee Relations

Welcome to the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM) web page which is devoted to providing information on the Employee Relations teams for the USDA Staff Offices and Mission Area communities.

The Employee Relations Branch is part of the Labor and Employee Relations Division.  Our Employee Relations (ER) Specialists handle employee relations issues effectively and expediently to improve workplace productivity and morale. Technical advice and assistance are available on all matters pertaining to employee conduct, performance, and other work-related concerns. The team serves as a center of ER expertise and is responsible for case management of a myriad of workplace issues. Our ER Specialists are available to conduct training sessions on a variety of topics, including but not limited to, Conduct and Performance-related issues, Leave and Attendance Management, Reasonable Accommodations, Drug Testing, Preventing Violence in the Workplace, Misconduct Investigations and Equal Opportunity Accountability issues.

Useful Links

• Employee Performance and Awards | USDA
• Administrative Grievance System
• Reasonable Accommodations
• Equal Opportunity Accountability
• Discipline and Adverse Actions
• Drug-Free Workplace Program
  • Contact Roster: Agency Drug Testing Liaison (ADTL) Contact Roster (PDF, 200 KB)
  • USDA's Plan for a Drug-Free Workplace (PDF, 1.1 MB) - if there are any inconsistencies between the Plan and Departmental Regulations, the Plan takes precedence.
  • DR 4430-792-2 Drug-Free Workplace Program, dated April 14, 2011
  • HHS 2013 Updated TDP Classification Guidance (PDF, 262 KB)
  • OneUSDA Intranet DFWP page
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employer Benefit
  • Contact Roster: EAP Coordinators/Contacts (EAPC) Contact Roster (PDF, 199 KB)
  • Departmental Regulation 4430-792-1 Employee Assistance Program, dated March 12, 2012
  • EAP Vendors:
    • AMS-FMMA Appalachian Office: ComPsych at (888) 290-4327 or online at GuidanceResources.
    • Forest Service: Additional Forest Service Wellbeing Support information, Espyr LLC at (833) 621-2989 or online at FS EAP (Login: usfs; Mobile App: Espyr Connect)
    • FPAC: Espyr LLC at (866) 869-0276 or online at Care.Espyr (PW: usdafpac)
    • OCIO: Espyr LLC at (833) 621-2992 or online at Care.Espyr (PW/Company ID: OCIOEAP)
    • All other USDA employees: Federal Occupational Health at (800) 222-0364 or online at FOH4you (some also have Worklife4You, contact your EAPC for registration code).
  • OneUSDA Intranet EAP page
• Workplace Violence Prevention Program (WVPP)
  • Contact Roster: WVPP Contact Roster (PDF, 180 KB)
  • Departmental Regulation 4200-001 Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Program, dated April 17. 2013
  • USDA Handbook on Workplace Violence Prevention and Response (PDF, 875 KB)
  • Workplace Violence Hotline
    • Safety & Security Concerns, contact the USDA Workplace Violence Hotline at 202-603-5366. If the situation requires immediate medical and/or law enforcement personnel, escalate to Local Law Enforcement, or dial 911.
    • APHIS Workplace Violence Hotline: 1-866-234-3174 and email address wpv@usda.gov.
  • "Be Prepared" Occupant Emergency Plans (OEP) Page
  • Office of Safety, Security and Protection (OSSP)
    • AgLearn Training - Workplace Violence Prevention: PLAN, PREPARE, PREVENT
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Active Shooter Resources:
    • Echoes of Columbine Video
    • Run, Hide, Fight Video
  • Office of Personnel Management Resources
    • Dealing with Workplace Violence: A Guide for Agency Planners
    • Handling Traumatic Events: A Manager's Handbook
  • Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resources Center (SPARC)
    • SPARC Website
    • Stalking in the Workplace Fact Sheet
• Domestic Violence Prevention and Response Program
• Workplace Anti-Harassment (Pending Publication)
• Personnel Misconduct Investigations
• Employee Responsibilities and Conduct

EAP Events and Updates

Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

• GovExec Article - OPM Highlights Mental Health Resources for Feds
• White House Proclamation on National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2023 (dated 4/28/23)

National Suicide Prevention Hotline Update

• The FCC issued a news release which provided an update that the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was transitioning to an easier to remember 3-digit number on July 16, 2022.
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is now accessible via phone call and text message using the number 9-8-8 and callers to the 1-800-273-TALK (8255) will continue to work but will be routed to 988 indefinitely.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and Suicide Prevention

• OPM memorandum, Subject: Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness, dated October 21, 2022 

Aftermath of a Traumatic Event

• What to Expect (PDF, 547 KB)
• Resources for Trauma, Grief, and Resilience (PDF, 266 KB)
• Talking to Children (PDF, 790 KB)

OPM Holiday Resource:

• Flier: Helpful Holiday Hacks (PDF, 145 KB)

Mental Health Awareness Month 2022

• OPM Director's Mental Health Awareness Month Video
  • Reminds:
    • Mental Health benefits are available to every Federal employee.
    • Support of Federal employees and their families' wellbeing at the workplace and at home.
    • EAPs provide short term behavioral health services at the workplace and referrals for ongoing care.
    • All FEHB plans provide comprehensive outpatient and inpatient mental health benefits, including counseling and treatment for substance use and mental health services accessible remotely via telehealth at reduced co-payment levels.
  • Addresses widespread misconception that seeking or having sought mental health treatment or counseling can disqualify you from federal work or passing a background check, which is untrue and dangerous. Our physical and mental health are equally important, and nothing matters more than your health and wellbeing.
• OPM's Mind Your Mental Health Flyer - May 2022 (PDF, 353 KB)