The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released its Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) for fiscal years (FYs) 2024-28. The SEP establishes the agency’s subject matter priorities as it works to prevent and remedy discrimination in the workplace.
In particular, the SEP updates and refines the commission’s subject matter priorities to reflect progress in achieving its goals of equal employment while recognizing the challenges that remain in reaching those goals. This plan will help guide the EEOC’s work, including outreach, education, technical assistance, enforcement and litigation.
The EEOC’s subject matter priorities for FYs 2024-28 include the following:
- Eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring
- Protecting vulnerable workers and individuals from underserved communities from employment discrimination
- Addressing selected emerging and developing issues, such as protections for workers affected by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions; employment discrimination associated with the long-term effects of COVID-19 symptoms; and technology-related employment discrimination
- Advancing equal pay for all workers
- Preventing and remedying systemic harassment
- Preserving access to the legal system by addressing employment waivers, releases, and nondisclosure and nondisparagement agreements
Employer Takeaways
As the SEP will guide the agency’s enforcement priorities for the next five years, employers should consider reviewing the plan to determine how it may impact their organizations. We will keep you apprised of any notable updates.
Contact us to see how you could minimize risk: