Date: September 13, 2010
To: English 1311 students
From: Sandra M. Ortega
RE: Equal Opportunity Employment Commission
As we live in a multi-cultural society, the importance of having equal employment opportunities are not only important but imperative in order to sustain a well balanced society. Even though employment discrimination is against the law, it is still common within the workforce. Employers and employees find themselves unintentionally and intentionally violating the same laws that are in place to protect U.S. citizens against discrimination. Discrimination comes in all forms not just based on the obvious but also based on sexual preference, sexual harassment, whistle blowers or retaliation.
For example recently a highly publicized claim of harassment has surfaced within the professional football league. Ines Sainz, a female television reporter for TV Azteca has alleged that harassment took place within the New York Jets locker room. Mrs. Sainz claims that NFL football players started talking about her and making sexual jokes. Although Mrs. Saenz was not clear on the inuendos other reporters stepped in to comfort her and apologize for the behavior of the players. This is just one reason why in 1965 the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission was established under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) website, the EEOC which is based out of Washington, DC has over 50 field offices through out the United States and is responsible for enforcing federal laws make it illegal to discriminate against a potential employee or employee based on color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin or disability. The EEOC has the power to investigate discrimination against employers who are covered under the law. Their role is to fully investigate fairly and accurately the charges and conclude whether discrimination has occurred and try to settle the claim. However, if the claim is unable to be settled the EEOC can file a lawsuit to protect the rights of individuals and for the better of the public.
It is common in the workforce among small businesses and large corporations to promote equal employment opportunity and work closely with EEOC. Many employers provide a work break room where literature is displayed on a bulletin board with information regarding the EECO. This allows employees and job applicants the ability to understand discrimination laws and take necessary steps to follow if they feel they have been discriminated against by a fellow employee, or manager. The EEOC promotes equality by ensuring that all employees are provided a point of contact to report harassment or discrimination. This can be thru a human resource manager, immediate supervisor or by calling the EEOC directly and filing a formal complaint within 45 calendar days of the alleged discrimination. One other way companies communicate with their employees and job applicants is thru trainings, websites, emails, and videos to ensure policies are followed according to the federal law and EEOC.
In order for discrimination to be dissolved it is important for employees and job applicants to take a stand and report all and any discrimination. We deserve to be treated with respect and equality and it is guaranteed by our Constitution. If you are denied equal treatment or opportunity due to race, age, disability, color, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation you are being discriminated against. As an employee you have rights under sex and race discrimination law. Since the implementation of the EEOC, employment discrimination has greatly improved.
