Our Blog

Meet the requirements of the EEO by having a zero tolerance policy for harassment. An employee who harasses another employee because of their national origin, race, religion, skin color, age, gender, disability, or genetic information creates a hostile work environment. By disciplining employees who don`t adhere to your zero-tolerance policy, you can prevent violations, according to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. It`s always best to avoid discrimination before it becomes a problem for your business. You can take training through the EEOC to learn more about how to prevent discrimination in the workplace. If you receive medical or genetic information legally, you must keep it confidential, with very few exceptions and in a separate medical record. Different groups are more successful than homogeneous teams because they can bring different perspectives to the table, more accurately reflect companies and markets, and use their unique skills to achieve better things. It is therefore up to employers to exploit this potential by removing bias from all selection and assessment procedures, refraining from asking illegal interview questions, and training employees to treat each other with respect and objectivity. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is an independent and autonomous federal agency that enforces federal civil rights laws through administrative and judicial channels. The EEOC administers various federal laws that prohibit discrimination, such as: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Employment Age Discrimination Act, and the Equal Pay Act. EEOC laws apply to both employees and candidates.

However, the EEOC requirements only apply to employers with at least 15 employees. Therefore, an employee who has been discriminated against in a company with 10 employees cannot file a complaint with the EEOC. However, many state laws lower that number to allow workers to still sue for discrimination against employers with fewer than 15 employees. In general, the EEOC investigates allegations of discrimination by collecting documents and interviewing supervisors, managers and employees. At the end of an investigation, the EEOC has the opportunity to take legal action. If the EEOC decides not to bring an action, the aggrieved person receives a “notice of right of action”. From there, the person can sue for discrimination in the workplace in court. As a small business owner and employer, you may have legal responsibilities under federal anti-discrimination laws.

To meet the requirements of the EEO, you must treat all people fairly, regardless of national origin, race, religion, skin color, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), disability, or genetic information. You must also extend fair treatment to employees who marry someone of a different national origin, race, religion or color. If you have 20 or more employees, you must treat workers over the age of 40 in the same way as younger workers to comply with the EEO guidelines of the Age Discrimination in the Workplace Act. Compliance with the EEO involves the use of any of these factors in the recruitment, promotion, discipline and dismissal of workers. If your business is a federal contract or subcontract worth more than $10,000, you must meet the requirements of the EEO, otherwise your contract may be terminated. Follow the instructions. Do not discriminate; Adjust how employees can do the job. Post a poster about the EEO in the workplace (see Resource 1). Include a language in your job postings that confirms that you consider all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, and add the required slogan: “EEO/AA Employer.” Keep accurate hiring and employment records and submit an EEO-1 annual report. Federal and state standards for equal employment opportunity are in place to prevent workplace discrimination and unfair hiring practices in the private sector. These guidelines provide your company with a roadmap to ensure that employees are treated fairly from the moment they submit their application, during their time with your company. To help you navigate these state and federal regulations, we`ve created this guide to explain EEO laws and describe how to ensure your business complies with legal requirements.

Equal Opportunities in the Workplace (EEO) laws prohibit employers from discriminating on the basis of certain characteristics. This means that individuals have the right to be free from discrimination based on race, colour, religion, national origin and sex. In addition, equal opportunity laws protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, parent/pregnancy status, and military/veteran status. Equal Employment Opportunity Laws ensure that all employment opportunities are fair and equal for all. The reason for promoting this support is linked to the idea that everyone should have the right to equal opportunities in employment. In addition, no one is excluded from participation because equal opportunities laws promote equal access and equal opportunities. Most companies with 15 or more employees are required by law to comply with equal opportunity laws. These include: As an employer, you should be aware that some EEO requirements have implications that may not be immediately obvious. For example, equal opportunities laws explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, but do not explicitly state sexual orientation or gender identity. However, a Supreme Court decision expanded equal opportunity laws to protect all sexual orientations and gender identities. When you execute an affirmative action program, you must provide measurable goals.

For example, you may decide that a certain percentage of your workforce should include employees from non-dominant groups. All thresholds that you have set that do not affect the protection against discrimination provided for in Title VII are legally valid. While the purpose of an equality law may be clear, the requirements you need to follow and the action plans you need to put in place aren`t always like that. A misinterpretation, inaccuracy or small deviation from standard procedures could result in a complaint about the OEE. Also, how you would handle this complaint is crucial, as it could become a lawsuit. To help you avoid legal consequences, we`ve looked at the six most common mistakes businesses make when faced with EEOC fees – and what you should do instead. The Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (WPEA) was signed into law by President Obama on November 27, 2012. The law strengthens protections for federal employees who disclose evidence of waste, fraud or abuse. The WPEA also requires that any policy, form or confidentiality agreement (NDA) include the statement copied below, and provides that NDAs executed without the language can be applied as long as agencies inform employees of the statement.