How Do I Implement EEO Guidelines?

To implement EEO guidelines you'll need a filing system, manuals and posters, and you'll need to fill out surveys.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations are federal law in the United States. EEO guidelines are designed to protect applicants and employees from discrimination in the workplace. It's important for managers and employees alike to follow EEO regulations; however, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), not all employees and employers are covered by EEO laws. To keep up with this ever-changing body of regulations, check the EEOC website (see Resources) at least once a month.

Things You'll Need

• Filing system
• EEO compliance manual
• EEO posters
• EEO reports/surveys, for companies with 100 employees or more

Instructions

1. Develop a filing system for your personnel files. The EEOC requires employers to keep a record of every employee for one year after termination and also a file for applicants. These files should include wage agreements, applications, performance evaluations and any merit recording system used to determine pay. Plan on keeping these records for longer than a year, because other laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act require you to keep payroll and benefit records for up to three years.

2. Order a hard copy of the EEOC compliance manual from the EEOC website. The entire manual is not available in electronic format, but updates and additions are posted on the website regularly. If you have several business locations, order a copy of the manual for each location so managers can be trained and have a reference.

3. Order and display EEO posters. These can be found on the EEOC website. You must display posters and any current poster supplements in a prominent location for all workers to see. Each business location must have a visible poster. Good poster locations are break rooms and near water coolers and coffeepots--places employees gather on breaks.

4. Keep up with EEO reports and surveys if your company has 100 or more employees. Use the EEOC website to verify which reports are currently in use and their due dates. You can fill out most surveys at the EEOC website. Surveys will require information about each employee's wages, benefits, sex and age.

5. Make education about EEOC guidelines and laws a continual process at your business. Train both managers and lower-level employees about harassment, discrimination and leave laws. Make sure the most current EEO information, such as posters, poster supplements and manuals, is available for all employees at any time during their workday. Include new regulations in your employee handbook as soon as possible, and provide information about changing company policies in writing to your staff.

References

• EEOC: Employers
• EEOC: Reporting Requirements
• EEOC: Compliance Manual
• EEOC: Employers: Posters: EEO Poster Request Form
• Labor Law Center: OFCCP Updates the Equal Employment Opportunity Poster

Resources

• EEOC