Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Definition

The EEOC is a federal agency responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of their race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

Analogy

Imagine if referees only penalized one team during a soccer match while ignoring fouls committed by another team. That wouldn't be fair! The EEOC acts like an unbiased referee ensuring all teams (employers) play fairly with respect to employment practices.

Related terms

Title VII: Part of the Civil Rights Act which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): This law prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA): This act protects certain applicants and employees 40 years of age and older from discrimination on the basis of age in hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation or terms, conditions or privileges of employment.