The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has recently released its Fiscal Year 2022 Annual Performance Report (APR), which showcases the agency’s accomplishments during a difficult year. The report aims to provide an overview of the EEOC’s work to the public, Congress, and the President. It not only highlights the agency’s achievements but also outlines the challenges faced by the EEOC during the fiscal year and the measures taken to address them. This information serves as a valuable resource for stakeholders seeking to evaluate the agency’s performance and effectiveness.

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that prohibit employment discrimination, investigating charges of discrimination against applicable employers. During an investigation, the EEOC evaluates the allegations and seeks to settle the charge if it finds proof of discrimination. In instances where settlement is not possible, the EEOC may protect the rights of individuals by filing a lawsuit on their behalf.

The EEOC strives to settle cases rather than file lawsuits, taking into account crucial factors such as the strength of evidence, issues in the case, and the potential impact of litigation on the agency’s efforts to combat workplace discrimination.

In the fiscal year 2022, the EEOC focused on several major areas in pursuit of its mission to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO). Specifically, the agency made strides in advancing racial justice in the workplace, addressing the use of artificial intelligence in employment decisions and systemic discrimination, and enforcing pay equity.

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) achieved several significant milestones during the 2022 fiscal year conducting more than 3,000 free outreach events, reaching approximately 220,000 individuals. It also resolved over 65,000 charges of discrimination, securing over $513 million in monetary benefits for discrimination victims.

Additionally, the EEOC dealt with increasing demand from the public for its services at a time when the country worked on recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. In that time, the EEOC received 73,485 new discrimination charges during Fiscal Year 2022. The EEOC revealed that it received approximately twenty percent more complaints than the agency had received in the 2021 fiscal year.

The EEOC also published its Office of General Counsel (OGC) Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2022, highlighting the agency’s litigation achievements. In that year, the EEOC resolved 96 employment discrimination lawsuits and filed 91 employment discrimination lawsuits.

Employers must comply with all laws and regulations banning discrimination. A crucial example includes background screening in the hiring process. Employers should consider partnering with a trustworthy background check company, as the right provider will ensure they comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer:
Information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only and should not constitute as legal advice. We recommend you contact your own legal counsel for any questions regarding your specific practices and compliance with applicable laws.