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The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission released a new anti-discrimination poster in October 2022. Employers are asked to replace their current “EEO is the Law” poster with this one.

About The EEOC

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency that protects consumers and helps fight against discrimination in the workplace based on protected factors, including:

• Race
• Color
• Origin
• Sex
• Religion
• Age (40 and older)
• Disability
• Genetic information

They have the authority to investigate charges of discrimination against employers who are covered by federal law.

The EEOC's New Poster

To inform individuals of their rights, the EEOC creates anti-discrimination posters that must be displayed prominently at worksites where 15 or more people are employed. They contain information about what types of practices can be deemed illegal and how workers may proceed if they feel their employer has discriminated against them.

In October 2022, the EEOC announced that they produced a poster titled “Know Your Rights." Employers are required to place this version in a location where “notices to applicants and employees are customarily posted.” They are also encouraged to post a digital copy on their website.

According to a press release issued by the EEOC, the poster is thought to be a win for employees and employers. Chairperson Charlotte A. Burrows said: “By using plain language and bullet points, the new poster makes it easier for employers to understand their legal responsibilities and for workers to understand their legal rights and how to contact EEOC for assistance. The poster advances the EEOC’s mission both to prevent unlawful employment discrimination and remedy discrimination when it occurs.”

A PDF copy of the poster can be found here.

Maintain Fair, Transparent Policies

It is important for every employer to create fair policies for everyone. Numerous federal and state laws exist to protect workers and help ensure they are treated properly.

In addition to following EEOC regulations and state laws, hiring managers should takes steps to verify their hiring and background screening policies are fair and transparent. This can involve making sure all candidates are screened at the same point during the recruitment phase and that employees are re-screened each year.

Having consistent screening policies shows your team that they are being treated equally and lets them know what to expect at all times. Once you have your policies ready, we recommend reviewing them with counsel to confirm they are complete, accurate and compliant with laws that are in effect wherever you operate.

Need Background Checks?

If you need comprehensive background checks for employment purposes, please contact us. Our team can help you customize screening packages for any position so you can make sure each person has the same experience every time background checks are required. These packages can be built based on your specific needs, relevant laws and industry regulations.

Our team strives to keep up with laws and best practices that affect your business. We're you partner throughout the screening process and are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.