What is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
Posted February 13th, 2025.
Categories: Blog.
As an applicant and employee in the United States, you are protected by a variety of federal and state laws. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is an important agency that plays an essential role in ensuring fair treatment for all workers. To learn more about this agency and the work that it does, continue reading below. If your rights were violated in the workplace, contact a knowledgeable Cherry Hill employment law attorney for legal advice and representation.
What is the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that protects workers across the United States from discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Most companies that employ over 15 workers are subject to the rules and regulations governed by the EEOC.
The EEOC’s purpose is to prevent and address workplace discrimination. This includes investigating complaints made by employees, providing guidance to employees and employers, and ensuring that the many laws prohibiting discrimination are properly enforced.
The EEOC plays an essential role in creating fair and inclusive workplaces for Americans. Through its various laws, this agency ensures all applicants and employees have access to the same opportunities for employment regardless of irrelevant factors like race, gender, or disability.
What Laws Are Enforced by the EEOC?
In order to prevent workplace discrimination and address issues, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforces a variety of laws and regulations including the following.
- The Equal Pay Act of 1963: Requires men and women to be given equal pay for equal work
- Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin
- The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967: Protects workers aged 40 or older from age-based discrimination
- Section 501 and 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Makes it illegal to discriminate against an individual for a disability and protects workers from retaliation
- The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978: Requires employers to treat pregnant employees the same as any other worker
- Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations
- The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008: Prevents discrimination based on genetic information and family medical history
The above laws are essential in protecting United States applicants and employees from unfair treatment, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. As the future of this agency becomes unclear, it is crucial that you stay up-to-date and informed regarding new executive orders and regulations. For more information and legal advice, do not hesitate to contact an experienced employment attorney at the Law Offices of Mark S. Guralnick.
