HR Tip: Emerging employment issues top EEOC priorities

The EEOC recently announced its updated Strategic Enforcement Plan for fiscal years 2017-2021. The new plan continues the priorities outlined in the plan for 2013-2016 but adds two areas to the previous "emerging issues" priority. Those additions encompass:

• "Issues related to complex employment relationships of the 21st century workplace," specifically focusing on temporary workers, staffing agencies, independent contractor relationships, and the on-demand economy; and
• "Backlash discrimination against those who are Muslim or Sikh, or persons of Arab, Middle Eastern or South Asian descent, as well as persons perceived to be members of these groups."

While a Trump presidency will undoubted impact how the EEOC pursues its enforcement agenda and the resources it has available, historically, the agency has pushed its enforcement priorities.