During her keynote speech to open the second day of the NILG 2022 National Conference, EEOC Vice Chair Jocelyn Samuels hinted that an announcement involving the Agency and pay equity would be coming soon.

True to her word, this afternoon EEOC announced it will be holding a press conference tomorrow at 12:00 ET to discuss the results of an independent study conducted by the National Acad­emies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Committee on National Statistics.  As a reminder, following the contentious collection of pay data in 2020, the EEOC commissioned the study to examine the EEO-1 Component 2 pay data reporting and recommend the most effective use for the pay data as well as identify areas of improvement for future collections.  The release of the report has been anticipated for months.

With respect to pay data collection, the Vice Chair explained  the tool is intended to assist employers identify issues to allow them to address pay discrimination.

Vice Chair Samuels also shared with conference attendees the Agency’s thoughts on the impact of COVID on workforces, its position on vaccines and testing as well as its stance on COVID related accommodations.  She spoke about the impact of recent U.S. Supreme Court cases on gender identify, sexual orientation and non-binary individuals and pregnancy discrimination.  She also spoke to the Agency’s Artificial Intelligence strategic initiative and enforcement of retaliation and harassment.  She noted that the Agency is in the process of updating its Strategic Enforcement plan and is planning to seek input from stakeholders into its development.

Noting that

[e]quity is the rising tide that lifts all boats.

Vice Chair Samuels’ message shared the sentiment and the overall theme and focus of the conference.

Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow!

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Photo of Laura A. Mitchell Laura A. Mitchell

As co-leader of the firm’s ESG group, Laura Mitchell partners with her clients to evaluate, set, achieve and monitor their organizational culture and human capital goals. She focuses her practice on data analytics, including pay equity and other employee analytics, working side-by-side with…

As co-leader of the firm’s ESG group, Laura Mitchell partners with her clients to evaluate, set, achieve and monitor their organizational culture and human capital goals. She focuses her practice on data analytics, including pay equity and other employee analytics, working side-by-side with employers to build programs that benefit employees and create a stable, high-functioning workplace. Understanding that an inclusive, values-based culture provides a crucial competitive advantage in the modern workplace, Laura enjoys counseling companies on the development of proactive and equitable pay and diversity practices.

In Laura’s version of the reimagined workplace, attention to human capital issues, especially DEI and pay equity, would be the rule rather than the exception nationwide and she works with companies across all industries—both new and well-established multi-national organizations of all sizes—to realize this vision for her clients’ ongoing success. She helps clients understand all issues across the spectrum of their journey, helping to establish regular analyses as well as counseling organizations on implementation and compliance obligations, where applicable. Committed to putting her clients’ organizational goals first and foremost, Laura views herself as an extension of her clients’ team, responsible for providing proactive guidance and engaging in transparent, ongoing communication.

Laura also represents companies in OFCCP matters, preparing for and defending OFCCP audits, and counseling employers on issues stemming from OFCCP regulations. She personally oversees the development of hundreds of Affirmative Action Plans for clients each year and is intimately involved in the defense of OFCCP audits. Her approach to compliance is one of facilitation and conciliation while simultaneously advocating in the best interests of her clients.

Photo of Christopher T. Patrick Christopher T. Patrick

Chris Patrick is a Principal in the Denver, Colorado, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and is a member of the Firm’s Affirmative Action Compliance and OFCCP Defense practice group and Pay Equity resource group.

Chris partners with employers on practical solutions to ensure…

Chris Patrick is a Principal in the Denver, Colorado, office of Jackson Lewis P.C. and is a member of the Firm’s Affirmative Action Compliance and OFCCP Defense practice group and Pay Equity resource group.

Chris partners with employers on practical solutions to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO), including counseling on affirmative action, pay equity and transparency, and diversity. In short, Chris develops actionable strategies under privilege that identify and eliminate unseen barriers to EEO in personnel practices—often informed by trends in employee data.