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ARTICLE · 22 JANUARY 2013

EEOC’s New Strategic Enforcement Plan Highlights Emphasis On Systemic Discrimination Cases

Foley Hoag LLP
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Recently, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) adopted a new Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) setting forth its priorities and methods of enforcement for the next 4 years.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Foley Hoag LLP
Foley Hoag LLP
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Recently, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) adopted a new Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) setting forth its priorities and methods of enforcement for the next 4 years. 

A key focus of the SEP continues to be systemic discrimination cases, in which the EEOC, on its own initiative, investigates an employer's employment practices across its workforce.  The EEOC is de-emphasizing charges of discrimination brought by individual employees in favor of agency-initiated class action-type cases.  The SEP confirms that the EEOC will continue to coordinate among its offices to pursue systemic investigations and litigation against employers. 

The SEP also identifies the below six target areas where the EEOC will focus its enforcement efforts. 

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