The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission plays a crucial role in promoting equality in the workplace and ensuring that individuals are not subjected to unfair or illegal discrimination. For more information on the agency’s rules and regulations and to ensure your rights are protected in the workplace, contact a knowledgeable Atlanta employment rights attorney today.
What is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, frequently referred to as the EEOC, is a federally regulated agency that enforces laws making it illegal to discriminate against job applicants and employees based on certain protected characteristics.
The EEOC was established by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prevent discrimination in employment practices and promote equal opportunities for all workers regardless of race, color religion, sex, or national origin. Since then, additional protections have been added including for disabilities, veteran status, age, and more.
The agency enforces a variety of federal laws that prohibit workplace discrimination in an effort to create a fair and inclusive work environment. It does so by hearing and investigating complaints, mediating disputes, and handling discrimination cases.
The laws enforced prohibit discrimination in various aspects of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, salary, job assignments, and other conditions. The EEOC also addresses harassment, retaliation, and other unfair or illegal practices.
What Laws Are Enforced by the EEOC?
The EEOC enforces several important federal laws that protect employees from discrimination including the following.
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
- The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
- The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963
- The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act of 2022
How Has the EEOC Been Impacted Since Trump Took Office?
Many people are concerned that the EEOC and its regulations have been revoked following a series of executive orders issued by President Trump during the first week of his second-term presidency.
The EEOC has been impacted as a result of these orders, though the agency remains intact and its regulations are still law. As of January 28, 2025, the EEOC no longer has a quorum, meaning the minimum amount of members required. While Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that at least three Commissioners constitute a quorum, only two remain after President Trump’s firing of Charlotte A. Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels.
The EEOC remains open and continues to enforce federal anti-discrimination laws despite the lack of a quorum. If your rights have been violated in the workplace, you can still file a discrimination charge with the EEOC.
For additional and current information on the state of the EEOC and your rights as an applicant or employee, consult with an experienced employment lawyer at Ben Barrett Law.
