EEOC Details Its Plans for Enforcement, Outreach

Author: Robert S. Teachout, XpertHR Legal Editor

February 20, 2018

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has released its Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018-2022, its framework for achieving its mission to advance equal opportunity in the workplace and prevent and remedy unlawful employment discrimination. The EEOC also submitted its fiscal year 2019 budget request, seeking more than $1.8 million above the current budgetary level.

The EEOC voted unanimously to approve the plan following review of the comments submitted on the draft Strategic Plan.

The Strategic Plan includes two main objectives:

  • Combat and prevent employment discrimination through the strategic application of EEOC's law enforcement authorities. The EEOC indicated that it will continue to include investigations into systemic practices as part of its efforts to identify and attack discriminatory policies and practices.
  • Prevent employment discrimination and promote inclusive workplaces through education and outreach. The EEOC intends to broaden its use of technology to expand its reach to diverse populations and target outreach to vulnerable workers and underserved communities. The EEOC also will focus on providing more up-to-date and accessible guidance and training on the requirements of employment discrimination laws.

The plan also includes a management objective to "achieve organizational excellence" by improving its recruitment and performance management and developing a diverse and inclusive workplace that the EEOC said will "model the workplace practices we promote."

The EEOC this month also submitted a budget request of $364 million for fiscal year 2019, which includes $29 million for state and local fair employment practice agencies and tribal employment rights organizations. The request repeats the fiscal year 2018 budget request and is $1.8 million more than was allocated in the 2018 Continuing Resolution.

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 plans direct the agencies' work and lay the groundwork for developing the more-detailed annual plans, budgets and related program performance information. The EEOC's new Strategic Plan will be implemented this month.