EEOC issues proposed strategic plan

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published its proposed strategic plan for fiscal years (FYs) 2022 to 2026 on November 4, 2022, with comments due by December 5, 2022. The strategic plan serves as a framework for achieving the EEOC’s mission through the application of the agency’s law enforcement activities, preventing employment discrimination, and advancing equal employment opportunities through education, outreach, and organizational excellence.

The EEOC also published a strategic enforcement plan (SEP), which is a separate document that establishes the agency’s substantive area priorities for its work to advance equal employment opportunity and prevent and remedy discrimination in the workplace.

The agency will seek public comment on the SEP draft for FYs 2023 to 2027 at a later date. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), set to become the Chair of the House Education Committee in 118th Congress, sent a letter to EEOC Chair Charlotte Burrow raising issues over the proposed strategic plan.

Senate HELP approves Gilbride nomination for EEOC GC
On November 29, 2022, the Senate HELP Committee approved the nomination of Karla Gilbride to be the EEOC’s General Counsel. Gilbride, a civil rights attorney, was nominated by President Joe Biden in June. The position of EEOC General Counsel has been vacant since President Biden fired Sharon Gustafson in March 2021. If Gilbride isn’t confirmed during the Lame Duck session, she’s expected to be renominated in January.