You may have heard the phrase “Protected Status” before and wondered how it applies to you or your colleagues. Protected Status refers to categories that defend Coast Guard military members, civilian employees, and applicants for employment from unlawful discrimination and harassment on the basis of:
The Coast Guard is a distinct organization in that the make-up of its workforce includes civilian employees and military members. This means the rules on Protected Status can differ between groups. For civilians, these protections apply fully under federal laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. However, as a military service, the Coast Guard operates under a specific set of needs. Because of bona fide occupational qualifications, some of these protections may not fully apply to military members as it does to civilians.
For example, the Coast Guard may impose certain restrictions on personnel choices and actions due to Service policies, regulations, or military statutes. These restrictions are meant to preserve the ability of the military to function effectively and efficiently. While military exceptions exist, legal challenges and policy changes can occur over time, potentially expanding protections for military members based on certain protected characteristics.
To learn more about protected status or other civil rights topics, please contact your local Civil Rights Service Provider (CRSP).