Act Now: EEOC Rescinds Guidance on Workplace Harassment
On January 22nd, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted to rescind its Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace. This happened with little notice, and without offering the opportunity for public comment, bypassing the our right to participate in shaping policies that affect millions of workers.
The guidance the EEOC is revoking serves as a foundational resource for preventing and addressing harassment in the workplace. It was issued in 2024 following extensive public input—the EEOC received 38,201 comments. The intent was to provide clarity on how federal civil rights law protects workers from harassment based on sex, race, religion, disability, national origin, and other protected factors including sexual orientation and gender identity.
This guidance helps employers understand how to create safe work environments, and rescinding it eliminates a key reference point used by workers, employers, and investigators to understand how federal law applies to workplace harassment.
TAKE ACTION
They may not have solicited our comments, but we need to make our voices heard anyway! We cannot let the EEOC rescind this guidance without hearing from YOU. Please take these actions:
- Submit a comment: The 75 Million Project, a national campaign which Women Employed is a core campaign partner for, is collecting comments that they will send to the EEOC. Submit your comment.
- Know and Share Your Rights: Understand your rights as a worker and your responsibilities as an employer to help foster safe and equitable workplaces under Chicago, Cook County, and Illinois law. Check out our Sexual Harassment and Your Rights on the Job resource to learn more.
- Call Your Congressperson: Call your U.S. senators and representative today and express your outrage that the EEOC did not solicit public comment before rescinding critical guidance that seeks to protect workers, and to hold this administration accountable. Don’t know who they are or how to reach them? Use this tool.
Things to Note
- You can call officials at either their DC office or their district/local office. They will receive messages in both places.
- You might end up speaking to the legislator’s staffer or intern. That’s okay! You can use the same call script with them, and they will deliver the message to your senator.
- You might get a voicemail. That’s also okay! Again, you can use the same call script, and just leave it as a voicemail.
- You can call after business hours! You may not speak to a live person, but you can still leave a voicemail and your message will get through.
- Not getting through? Don’t give up! We know they are getting lots of calls. Keep calling, and try their other office, too!
