Businesses intent on eliminating harassment or other types of discrimination in the workplace rely on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission training. One benefit of encouraging both management and other staff to participate in the training is that your company will spend less time and fewer resources addressing complaints that affect your bottom line. If you work in a government agency, the training is mandatory.
EEO training should help employees understand their rights and duties while in the workplace. The training covers a variety of topics, including sexual harassment and the Americans with Disabilities Act. You also learn about discrimination based on religion, race, pregnancy and age. Some classes also cover language rules, dress codes and hiring guidelines. The classes give you information on how to report complaints, providing the steps you should take to report problems to your employer and various government agencies. The classes often cover the protection an employee receives if his employer retaliates due to the complaint. You’ll also learn tips and tools to avoid actions that may lead to EEO violations.
For Employers and Managers
Employers need to go through EEO training just as their employees do. But some topics appeal to just employers and their management team. Topics include those that help human resources managers learn the legality of using social media and search engines, such as Google, to find employees. Employers also learn about the mistakes to avoid if their company receives a charge of discrimination. The training provides tips and guidance on understanding the investigative process.
The No FEAR (Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation) Act that became effective in 2003 requires federal government agencies to provide training to employees and managers every two years. Each agency must report annually to Congress, the Department of Justice, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Office of Personnel Management about its efforts to handle and reduce the number of discrimination cases it faces. Many states, such as Texas, require employees of state-funded agencies and colleges to participate in the EEO training, and then follow up by taking a refresher course every two years. While it’s not mandatory for most businesses to participate in training, companies that hire employees usually require EEO training as part of their human resources policies.
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Training Institute offers programs for federal and corporate employees. The commission is part of the federal agency that enforces employee discrimination laws, so the information in the class is current. Both on-site training and webinars are available from the commission. Private companies also provide training to help employees and employers learn to eliminate discrimination. Some companies provide separate manager and employee versions of the same class. The classes are available on-site or as videos and interactive online courses.
- The State of Texas: Welcome to Equal Employment Opportunity Training
- Texas Workforce Commission: Employment Discrimination Fact Sheets
- EEOC Training Institute: Home
- EEOC Training Institute: Webinars
- emTrain: EEO/Preventing Discrimination
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Questions and Answers-No FEAR Act
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