The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently approved a Strategic Enforcement Plan to establish national enforcement priorities and better integrate enforcement responsibilities.

The purpose of the SEP is to focus and coordinate the EEOC's programs to have a sustainable impact in reducing and deterring discriminatory practices in the workplace, EEOC says. The SEP identifies six national priorities as the focus of this integrated enforcement effort. These are:

In addition to these national priorities, the SEP also calls for the development of local and federal sector priorities to address particular issues prevalent in either a geographic location or within the federal sector.

The SEP directs EEOC to pursue a coordinated approach to ensure "consistent and integrated enforcement" throughout the three sectors over which the agency has jurisdiction: private, public (state and local), and federal. The goals are greater consistency and increased efficiency throughout the Commission's program areas, offices and among staff, EEOC says.

• Eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring;

   

  • Protecting immigrant, migrant and other vulnerable workers;

     

  • Addressing emerging and developing employment discrimination issues;

     

  • Enforcing equal pay laws;

     

  • Preserving access to the legal system; and

     

  • Preventing harassment through systemic enforcement and targeted outreach.