Statement: EEOC Rescinds Guidance on Workplace Harassment
Women Employed is dismayed and deeply disturbed that the EEOC voted today to rescind 2024 Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace. The EEOC made this damaging decision without allowing for public comment, flying in the face of both precedent and best practice.
When the guidance was established, there was a robust process to ensure it met the needs of employers and workers―including over 38,000 public comments―and that it comprehensively reflected legal developments from the past 25 years.
The result of this move will be harm to scores of workers who face harassment on the job, as well as harm to employers―especially small businesses―who relied on this guidance to ensure they were complying with anti-discrimination laws and building healthy workplace cultures where everyone can thrive. Workplace harassment continues to be a significant concern, and is widely acknowledged to be underreported; even with that, in FY24, the EEOC received over 35,000 charges alleging harassment. This guidance had addressed harassment on all protected categories, and ensured visibility of particularly vulnerable workers.
To do this just days after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday just rubs salt in the wound.
But in Chicago, and in Illinois, we are not in the habit of being silent. And we don’t have to simply accept these actions. We can speak out and take action. And we still have rights. We need you to raise your voices. We have actions you can take today: https://womenemployed.org/action-center/act-on-eeoc-workplace-harassment-guidance/
