The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on March 19 published two documents addressing how workplace practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
The first document — entitled “What To Do If You Experience Discrimination Related to DEI at Work” — aimed at individuals who might have experienced DEI-related discrimination. The second document — entitled “What You Should Know About DEI-Related Discrimination at Work” — is aimed at a broader audience and uses a question-and-answer format.
The guidance discusses specific activities that may violate Title VII — such as limiting membership in employee resource groups based on a protected characteristic or separating workers by protected group during workplace training programs. The guidance also describes circumstances in which DEI-related training may create a hostile work environment and how Title VII may protect employees who oppose unlawful DEI practices from retaliation.
The Center for Workplace Compliance (CWC), our affiliated nonprofit membership association, has scheduled a members-only roundtable for March 26 to discuss the guidance in the context of the Trump Administration’s broader campaign against illegal DEI practices.
CWC members can read more here.