Priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Like the old E.F. Hutton TV commercial, "when the EEOC speaks, employers should listen...." EEOC commissioner Constance Barker's recent comments are important for any employers concerned with employment-related compliance efforts, as well as avoiding EEOC litigation.
Commissioner Barker asserted that disparate impact discrimination and hiring screens are at the very top of the EEOC's agenda. She urged employers to consider compliance efforts in reviewing their hiring and workforce data to ensure the lack of disparate impact in the treatment of protected-category applicants and employees.
The EEOC's Strategic Enforcement Program (SEP) manifests how the Commission will direct its overall efforts. She predicted that litigation will increase and that the EEOC's systemic litigation program will take precedence over prevention efforts. Commissioner Barker suggested that hiring and promotional practices will be the key focus of the EEOC's litigation efforts.
She also articulated several areas of special concern for the EEOC. These include enforcement of the Equal Pay Act, lactation in the workplace under Title VII, and leave arrangements for domestic abuse situations.
The Commission released its statistical breakdown of EEOC charges with retaliation, race, and sex discrimination charges leading the way. The EEOC also had the second highest ever number of discrimination charges filed in 2012 – a total of 99,412 charges. In addition, the EEOC's docket of systemic pattern or practice cases grew to over 20% of the commission's docket.
The bottom line: employers are well served to remain focused on compliance activities relevant to their workplace obligations.
SESCO Management Consultants is available to assist with your human resource issues. You may contact us by phone at 423-764-4127 or by email at sesco@sescomgt.com.