EEOC releases strategic enforcement plan for FY2024 to 2028

On September 21, 2023, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) published its strategic enforcement plan for fiscal years (FY) 2024 to 2028 in the Federal Register. The plan extends the agency’s focus to these additional areas:

• Expanding the vulnerable and underserved worker priority to include workers unaware of their rights under equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws, reluctant or unable to exercise their legally protected rights, or who have historically been underserved;
• Updating developing issues to include protecting workers affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; employment discrimination associated with the long-term effects of COVID-19 symptoms; and technology-related employment discrimination;
• Highlighting the continued underrepresentation of women and workers of color in certain industries and sectors;
• Recognizing employers’ increasing use of technology, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, to target job advertisements, recruit applicants, and make or assist in hiring and other employment decisions; and
• Preserving access to the legal system by addressing overly broad waivers, releases, nondisclosure agreements, or nondisparagement agreements when they restrict workers’ ability to obtain remedies for civil rights violations.

EEOC finalizes 2022-2026 strategic plan