EEOC Chair Burrows discusses agency priorities

New Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Charlotte Burrows in recent interviews indicated the commission might revive the long-delayed sexual harassment guidance it approved during the last days of the Obama administration but not approved by the Trump Office of Management and Budget. Burrows indicated that while the guidance will need to be "fine-tuned" to add the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's Bostock decision and the #MeToo movement, she believes it would be approved.

Burrows also noted the agency would be focusing on combating systemic discrimination and systemic remedies for workplace discrimination in response to the structural inequities blacks and women face. In response to questions from employers, she has indicated the EEOC will be holding a hearing to broadly address the pandemic's workplace issues, including harassment and discrimination against Asian Americans, and guidance on emerging issues.

EEO-1 report portal to open in late April, close in July

The EEOC announced that the EEO-1 Component 1 data collection will open at the end of April 2021 and close in July 2021 (https://bit.ly/3lrmCZE). The exact closing date will be posted when the data collection launches. Employers will be notified of additional details and how to access the online filing system in April.

President Biden fires EEOC GC, appoints acting GC