Glossary / Lexicon

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission refers to a branch of the Department of Labor charged with investigating and prosecuting complaints of employment discrimination.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws related to employment in the United States. The EEOC works to prevent discrimination in the workplace based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or genetic information.

The EEOC investigates claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and unequal pay in the workplace. It also provides guidance to employers on how to comply with anti-discrimination laws and regulations. Additionally, the EEOC conducts outreach and education programs to inform employees and employers about their rights and responsibilities under the law.

Examples of EEOC cases include those involving sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and disability discrimination. For instance, in 2020, the EEOC reached a settlement with a restaurant chain for $4 million to resolve a lawsuit alleging that the company discriminated against female employees by denying them promotions and paying them less than their male counterparts. Another example is a case where the EEOC filed a lawsuit against a construction company alleging that it subjected a female employee to sexual harassment and retaliation, resulting in a $95,000 settlement.