EEOC Releases Draft Strategic Plans for FY 2018-2022

Author: Robert S. Teachout, XpertHR Legal Editor

December 13, 2017

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) will focus on aligning its resources to improve discrimination prevention and public education about the discrimination laws, according to a draft of its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018-2022. The strategic plan is open for public comment until January 8, 2018.

The proposed Strategic Plan sets out three objectives:

  • Combat and prevent employment discrimination through the strategic application of EEOC's law enforcement authorities. The focus of this objective is to stop and remedy discriminatory employment practices and to ensure discrimination victims receive meaningful relief. The goal will include exercising enforcement authority "fairly, efficiently, and based on the circumstances of each charge or complaint."
  • Prevent employment discrimination and promote inclusive workplaces through education and outreach. A key goal of this objective is to help the public understand the employment discrimination laws and to know their rights and responsibilities under those laws. In addition, the EEOC will focus on helping employers, unions, and employment agencies to prevent discrimination, effectively address EEO issues, and support more inclusive workplaces.
  • Organizational Excellence. The commission will be working to align resources with priorities "to strengthen outreach, education, enforcement and service to the public," and promote a "culture of excellence, respect and accountability."

The draft plan is still under review and has not yet been approved by the EEOC.

The Strategic Plan acts as a framework for the EEOC in achieving its mission. Congress requires executive departments, government corporations and independent agencies to develop and post a strategic plan on their public website every four fiscal years. The EEOC currently is operating under the FY 2012-2016 Strategic Plan, as amended through 2018. The plans direct the agency's work and lay the groundwork for developing the more detailed annual plans, budgets, and related program performance information.